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Old 04-23-2011, 08:40 PM   #1
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TriMetric Battery Monitor Install

Since my boondocking has been increasing, I decided it would be good to know what's going on with my batteries. Deep cycle batteries aren't cheap, so I thought this was one way to protect the battery investment tracking capacitity values while boondocking. After looking at different options, I decided last fall to install a TriMetric 2025-RV battery system monitor. http://www.bogartengineering.com/products/TriMetric

The over all installation was straight forward, just deciding where to mount the panel and run the wiring was the first hurdle. My floor plan has a rear living room so I knew I would be looking at running the wiring from the rear of the TT, all the way to the front where the batteries are located. I decided it would be a lot easier to run the wires in conduit along the TT frame rather than attempt to fish them through the interior of the TT.

The TriMetric also requires a shunt (500A, ordered with TriMetric) to be used and placed as close to the batteries as possible. So after a visit to my local Home Depot for some electrical supplies, I was off and running. The attached thumbnails will provide a little insight into the installation process.

Once the hardware was installed and all the wires landed, I was provided with a "100%" charge level on my battery. The TriMetric has numorous programming levels/features, you just have to decide what information meets your needs.



IMO, a great product for the boondocker.

Bob
Attached Thumbnails
DSC00304.jpg   DSC00298.jpg   DSC00295.JPG   DSC00300.JPG   DSC00303.JPG  

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Old 04-24-2011, 05:42 AM   #2
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Nice job... but that one open pipe.. put a little expanding foam in it to keep the rodents out or they will nest in that junction box
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Old 04-24-2011, 07:20 AM   #3
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Seann,

Your right, and I did go around and seal all the open areas shortly after the pic was taken, including where I came through the under belly cover/floor.

Bob
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Old 04-24-2011, 11:55 AM   #4
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Nice work. You`ve obviously done electrical work before. Total Project cost?
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Old 04-24-2011, 05:06 PM   #5
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Lee,

Actually I'm more of a nut & bolt wrench guy, but have done some very basic home wiring in the past. But in all honesty, it was an easy install.

The 2025-RV TriMetric Monitor, 500A Shunt, and 50ft. of 22 gauge (4-wire/twisted pair) was about $230 including shipping purchased here; http://www.altestore.com/store/ , then add around $35 for my visit to Home Depot.

Bob
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Old 04-12-2012, 07:43 PM   #6
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That is a nice install Rustic!
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Old 04-13-2012, 06:16 PM   #7
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Very nice mod, it looks like it was professionally done.
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Old 05-17-2012, 09:51 AM   #8
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I built me up something similar using two Dc voltmeters and one DC ampmeter from Sure Electroincs which lets me monitor both battery banks legs and the DC current being drawn from the battery selecter swicth. Also reads how much current is going into the batteries when the converter is in 14.4VDc charge mode.

Turned out great as yours did but then i got to looking at what all the Trimetric does monitor wise and sort of wished now I had gone that direction. I like the alarm idea the Trimetric does when the battery banks start getting low...

My unit was built with something like this in mind but was mounted in three switch electric switch box. Mine dont have all those bright lights associated with it.



This is the PVC Electrical 3-gang PVC switch box i used for my meter panel. It was mounted horizontal and I glued in the lightweight Sure digital meters into one of the specialty 3-gang wall plate covers.
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