RCU Forums - Volt Meter

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Ok on my custom field box that i have built is lacking one thing ... I was trying to figure out how i can put a volt meter inbetween the battery and the power panel does anyone have any ideas. it would be nice to be at the field and be able to hit a button to see how much juice is left in my field battery
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Your field battery?

I would think that no matter what battery you use, it will require an adequate load to accurately measure the voltage. So, any normal voltmeter, digital or analog, will work, if you connect the battery to a load and read across the load. Open circuit voltate will give you very little information.

CGr.

Go to Tower and look up a voltwatch they are like $10-12,,,I generally keep one on each plane, doesnt give you a number but changes color green/yellow/red can also tell you if a servo is binding or sticking by the light flashing....Rog

Voltwatch is a great idea, and I really endorse them because I use them on every Glow plane I own. But, the original post was for his field battery pack and not the on-board pack. If I misunderstood, I stand corrected.

CGr.

i am talking about my batt in a field box that runs my starter and feild charger

Is it a 12V lead-acid field battery?

If so, just get an aftermarket volt gauge for a car. Connect it to the battery and mount it to the box. I would look at both the open circuit and loaded voltage with the battery freshly charged then continue watch it as the battery gets depleted. Pretty soon you'll have a good idea of what voltage you'll want to recharge at.

The volt meter might also bee a small load which could drain the battery when you aren't at the field. If that's the case, just put a toggle switch in series with one of the wires going to the gauge.

You should be able to find one at most auto parts stores. There are also other options: http://www.pronto.com/user/search.do...90919327&site=

Another source might be RV or boat parts suppliers.

To be honest though, I wouldn't bother with it. The field battery should get you through a full day of flying and you can always recharge it before the next trip to the field. I like to charge everything before every trip so that I don't have any surprises.

One of the guys I fly with bought one of the car jump starters, something like the one I use but his had more stuff on it, a real volt meter was one of the whistles. He took it apart and has the bigger battery, a LG pump and the volt meter mounted in his box. Very cool system and has a bunch more zing for his starter.

Well I misunderstood, but they make them for field batteries too....Rog
http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin...?&I=LXDXG9&P=7

Quote:

ORIGINAL: flyinrog

Well I misunderstood, but they make them for field batteries too....Rog
http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin...?&I=LXDXG9&P=7

That is cool, I would have one on my box but the battery I have in my box has been dead for over a year now.:D

When my starter won't turn over anymore I know it's time to charge the battery in my field box!!! ;):D:D:D</p>

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Ken</p>

I'm tellin ya, the best thing you can get is a jumper battery...its way easier when the wife or kid or your stupid ***** leaves the door open a crack and a few hours later the battery is dead,,,way easier than moving your other car if you have one to line up for jumper cables ..if you have them...comes with a cig lighter and wall charger, in my miata (battery in back) I just jump it off and drive around for a few miles and both batteries are recharged......you can charge at the field with it and not worry about your car battery
less than $30 at walmart for a black and decker....Rog

i do paint and body work... and i have the big daddy of all jumper boxes bought it from matco it was 300 and it will boost a simi truck off easly