Shunt Battery Monitor

[Mike Dickinson]

I have read the messages about the shunt battery monitor. They seem to be a little costly. Does anyone make one that plugs into a cigarette lighter? I have a cigarette lighter available in my Jayco feather.
Mike Dickinson

[ARoamer]

If you only want to know voltage, not a shunt type, here's one-
https://www.ebay.com/itm/13387758491...kAAOSwZudhQdr8


If you want more detailed battery info, amps discharge and charge rates, remaining capacity, voltage, you will need a shunt type, there's this one-
https://www.ebay.com/itm/18515592206...cAAOSwgmtaQ~wF
I use one. Wireless, Slip sensor over negative wire, supply USB power to display. Low cost, but there is no case for the display.

[BanjoBob]

This is a great little shunt monitor that will give you accurate info of incoming and outgoing current as well as state of charge.

AiLi Battery Monitor

[JimD]

In order to measure current draw a shunt has to be installed INLINE with one of the battery cables so it is in the circuit. You can't measure current by connecting ACROSS a voltage source such as a simple voltage monitor does in a power outlet.

Another option that allows current measuring is to use a little coil that goes around one of the cables instead of connecting inline. These coils sense the little magnetic field that is created when current is flowing and displays a current value.

[hoppers4]

Wow, price has doubled since I bought my Bayite shunt meter!

[Mike Dickinson]

OK The trailer is a 2007 Jay feather 19H.I have ordered a 12V Dual 3.1A USB Car Charger 2 Port Adapter LED Cigarette Socket Fast Charging from E bay.
Mike Dickinson
2007 Jay Feather 19H
2012 Chevy Colorado

[pconroy]

I have one of those too, and it's useful. I use it to keep an eye on the Ford battery. But like Jim said, they won't measure "current, amperage". A battery monitor, with a shunt will tell you "How much current am I using *now*?"

A voltmeter, like what you bought, will tell you >>>>>approximately<<<<<< how much charge is left in my battery.

Very, very approximately.
With a lot of caveats.


If we use the Battery as a Lake analogy:
The voltmeter will tell you "How much water is left in the lake?"

The battery monitor will tell you "How fast am I draining the lake?"