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Brianpr · 10-26-2020, 04:12 PM

I noticed on a recent outing that my AGS monitor didn’t show the house batteries charging while the engine was running. I think it used to? However the monitor showed them at about 13.5V while running and when I shut down they went to 12.3V or so. So they must have been charging based on that but why didn’t the monitor say “charging” like it used to? When plugged in to shore power it shows charging, as noted in the attached photo. Thanks for any input.

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Ivylog · 10-26-2020, 04:20 PM

It’s only monitoring the voltage, not creating it when the engine is charging the batteries.

Outbound · 10-26-2020, 05:27 PM

Ditto

Brianpr · 10-26-2020, 05:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ivylog

It’s only monitoring the voltage, not creating it when the engine is charging the batteries.

Why does the monitor drop to 12V from 13V once the engine is shut down and no shore power connected?

Ivylog · 10-26-2020, 06:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brianpr

Why does the monitor drop to 12V from 13V once the engine is shut down and no shore power connected?

Because your batteries are probably only taking a surface charge and a small load lowers the voltage to 12. I would try equalizing them (a setting in your inverter/charger) after you top the water off.

Timaz · 10-27-2020, 01:56 PM

That is a SOLAR charge controller. If you have any load at all on the batteries it will show a lower voltage. Check the voltage at the batteries with a volt meter while the engine is running. (Make sure to run the RPM up to about 1000 and then let it idle before you check it to make sure the alternator is putting on a charge. Plus, reading your % of charge from the inverter is a joke. the only accurate way to measure % of charge is through monitor that uses a shunt. (I know this wasn't part of your question)

Tim

Brianpr · 10-27-2020, 07:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Timaz

That is a SOLAR charge controller. If you have any load at all on the batteries it will show a lower voltage. Check the voltage at the batteries with a volt meter while the engine is running. (Make sure to run the RPM up to about 1000 and then let it idle before you check it to make sure the alternator is putting on a charge. Plus, reading your % of charge from the inverter is a joke. the only accurate way to measure % of charge is through monitor that uses a shunt. (I know this wasn't part of your question)

Tim

Thanks for the info Tim