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Built in Digital Volt/Amp Meter (w/200amp shunt)
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NOTE This meter has been replaced, see Electrical Upgrade (Solar)
After upgrading the RV to dual 6v deep cycle golf cart batteries, I knew I needed a way to keep
accurate track of the current state of charge, so I went to my favorite information source,
www.rv.net/forums and searched battery monitor. I found a post by MrWizard about creating his
own Digital Voltmeter, and links to 12 volt side of life
article.
I decided that I wanted a Volt and Amp meter capable of accurately reading 200 Amps. I searched
the web for an accurate shunt that would handle 200amps and because the meters input is 200mv, I
wanted the shunt to be 200mv @ 200a. Well most shunts are 50mv or 100mv and that would be way to complex
for me, so I contacted Deltec and they had the shunt I needed D101
($28.75 + $10.90sh). I then went to a MPJA online and ordered the panel
meter (12205 ME), scaling resistors (12073 RS) & switches ($17.05 + $7.40sh tx).
I used a piece of black ABS plastic to mount all the devices and I used a router to rout out a 2x4 and
painted it black. I left 3 or 4 feet of extra wire so I could move it to where it's more visible.
Currently, the RV is plugged in and the PD9160 is charging at 13.23 volts and .1 amp (trickle charging).
When you are using the coach battery, the amps will read negative (-5.5 or whatever) to indicate you
are using power from the battery.
I used the diagram from 12v side of life for wiring directions.
This is the shunt mounted after the coach kill switch.
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