Cutting a hole and fitting a Volt meter

[The Bishop]

Gulp

To keep an eye on my leisure battery use and alternator charging I have bought a volt meter to go in the dash.

Question 1 - where is best to mount this. Am I OK to cut a hole in the metal dash next to the radio?
Question 2 - I was hoping to link it to the leisure battery so that I could be aware if that was low, particularly on camping trips. Presumably I'd need a switch to turn it off so that it doesn't drain the battery? Would that work?

Thanks,

[CovKid]

You might like to read this then. I suggested the idea a year or two ago and many have followed suit.

https://club8090.co.uk/wiki/VW ... ging_cause" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[Cruz]

My voltmeter has lost some of it's lines now but I can still tell it's giving a good reading

[1664]

or this way which monitors current flow as well as voltage....

https://club8090.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.p ... 5#p7647015" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[jeffdub]

would you need an inline fuse from the battery to the display ?

[1664]

would you need an inline fuse from the battery to the display ?

I fused the supply to the display since it comes directly off the battery and needs protection against a short to the bodywork as any supply cable would. I didn't fuse the 'signal' wires from the shunt to the display as there's no need in my opinion.

[ghost123uk]

Presumably I'd need a switch to turn it off so that it doesn't drain the battery?

You won't need a switch to turn it off, those things use such a tiny tiny bit of power you could leave it on for months and the battery would not even know it was there.

[Cruz]

I fit a toggle switch so I could monitor both batteries and turn it off. It can be annoying when left on.

[CovKid]

Mines been in and displaying volts since I fitted it. Don't notice it at all unless I need to look at it. I can see at a glance whether its going to start or not

[1664]

Mine's off unless I specifically want to check / monitor something

[zed]

Fitted two blue LED ones. One for each battery. Will let me know if the split charge plays up. They are wired so that they only light up when the ignition is on. Fitted them on the bottom lip of the dash between the heater and steering, so that they don't blind me when driving at night. Will take some pics and post a link.

[CovKid]

Mine's off unless I specifically want to check / monitor something

For those moments when you yourself need to be reassured Bren

[bootie3367]

Fitted two blue LED ones. One for each battery. Will let me know if the split charge plays up. They are wired so that they only light up when the ignition is on. Fitted them on the bottom lip of the dash between the heater and steering, so that they don't blind me when driving at night. Will take some pics and post a link.

That would be nice, when you can then