Voltmeter

If I want to monitor my battery charge level while parked with my LED light bar on. Is it as simple as getting one of these cig lighter plug in voltmeter and plug it in?

I am not looking for anything that is a permanent mounted solution, just something I can plug in when I am camping, and throw in the glove box when I am moving.

Also, at what volt should I start the truck to recharge battery?

$13 PALUMMA 24W/4.8A Dual USB Car Charger, 12V to USB Outlet with Cigarette Lighter Voltage Meter LED/LCD Display Battery Low Voltage Warning (Black)

https://www.amazon.com/Charger-Adap...UTF8&qid=1523925713&sr=1-4&keywords=Voltmeter

 

It would only be powered while the vehicle is on, and voltage should be anywhere from 13.5-14V when the vehicle is on.

Matt

 

1) You should only have your LED bar on when your ENGINE IS ON.

2) What do you mean by "at what voltage should I start the truck to recharge the battery"? I'm not sure you understand how batteries in vehicles work.

 

A fully charged battery is 12.6-12.7 vdc, technically 11.9vdc is a "dead" battery

damage to a regular "starting" battery occurs below 11.6vdc and more likely the higher the amp draw.

 

As you can see from the chart above, it’s a fine line and those cheap volt meters are not accurate for may reasons. Both in connections (cig lighter) and internal electronics. They are a good directional indicator, or good as a reference point, but do not trust them to be an accurate indication of when you need to start your truck, or you’ll be sorry. Only accurate value is a quality hard wired unit.

 

Got you. Ok keep the truck running.

Thanks all

 

What you could do is have a second deep cycle battery on an isolator, then it charges when vehicle is running, and you can use it as a separate power source (camping, aux lighting...) takes some thought and planning, but its not hard