Battery charge indicator

Fishnngolfn · 09-16-09, 02:27 PM

What device can buy that would be very small and convenient that will tell me how much charge is left in my little battery?

I have a small deep cycle marine battery that I use on my small inflatable pontoon. I have never run out of juice yet but I would like to have something on board that will tell me how much charge is left in the battery. This kind of info would be wonderful when I am about 1.5 miles away from the boat ramp with choppy water and a headwind. I don't want to be rowing home in conditions like that.

nofearengineer · 09-16-09, 03:08 PM

Honestly, you could find a cheap multi-meter (really cheap ones for as little as 10-20 bucks). You can write down what voltages correspond to what % of capacity is left somewhere, or commit it to memory. Just measure it from time to time while you're out on the water.

Fishnngolfn · 09-16-09, 03:14 PM

I was thinking about something like this one at BPS but how does it know the initial capacity of the battery to begin with so it knows the percentage left?

nofearengineer · 09-16-09, 03:38 PM

Try this, FnG.

Your gauge there is probably set up with these numbers in mind.

Bender · 09-16-09, 09:22 PM

Not sure if you have one or not, but on most fishfinders you can have the battery voltage show up on the screen as an option. I do this with one and it reminds me constantly how bad of shape my cranking battery is in.

Fishnngolfn · 09-16-09, 10:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bender

Not sure if you have one or not, but on most fishfinders you can have the battery voltage show up on the screen as an option. I do this with one and it reminds me constantly how bad of shape my cranking battery is in.

I don't have one and because of the distances I have to go with a small battery before I can start fishing, I don't want to get one because it will eat up my battery faster.

Rebbasser · 09-17-09, 07:43 PM

One of these:

Made by Minnkota, costs about $15 and I've even seen them at Wal-Mart.

Lancer6 · 09-17-09, 08:01 PM

If it's from Wal-Mart it must be good! No...wait!

L6

Abbeysdad · 09-18-09, 11:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lancer6

If it's from Wal-Mart it must be good! No...wait!

L6

So you think if he paid twice at much for the same MinnKota product at another store, it would be better?

Fishnngolfn · 09-18-09, 11:34 AM

Call me lazy but I am looking for something that tells me the percentage left. I know I can get a volt meter but then I would have to remember what the voltage correlates to as far as how much "juice" is left in the battery. I have a hard enough time remembering what lures and colors and line go with what setup I have and for which lake I'm fishing that day.

Maybe I can find a meter that reads something like this:
100% - Full
75% - Keep Fishing
50% - Keep Fishing
25% - You might want to start heading back now
0% - Start paddling because it's dead you moron

nofearengineer · 09-18-09, 11:41 PM

ROFL, FnG.

You could always write those values on the side of your boat in permanent black marker. Of course, you might get some funny looks from other people.

09-16-09, 02:27 PM	#1
Fishnngolfn BassFishin.Com Super Veteran Join Date: Jun 2008 Posts: 1,523	Battery charge indicator What device can buy that would be very small and convenient that will tell me how much charge is left in my little battery? I have a small deep cycle marine battery that I use on my small inflatable pontoon. I have never run out of juice yet but I would like to have something on board that will tell me how much charge is left in the battery. This kind of info would be wonderful when I am about 1.5 miles away from the boat ramp with choppy water and a headwind. I don't want to be rowing home in conditions like that.

09-16-09, 03:08 PM	#2
nofearengineer BassFishin.Com Premier Elite Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Southwest IN Posts: 5,630	Honestly, you could find a cheap multi-meter (really cheap ones for as little as 10-20 bucks). You can write down what voltages correspond to what % of capacity is left somewhere, or commit it to memory. Just measure it from time to time while you're out on the water. __________________ Many men go fishing all of their lives without knowing it is not fish they are after.

09-16-09, 03:38 PM	#4
nofearengineer BassFishin.Com Premier Elite Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Southwest IN Posts: 5,630	Try this, FnG. Your gauge there is probably set up with these numbers in mind. __________________ Many men go fishing all of their lives without knowing it is not fish they are after.

09-17-09, 07:43 PM	#7
Rebbasser BassFishin.Com Premier Elite Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: San Antonio, TX Posts: 10,141	One of these: Made by Minnkota, costs about $15 and I've even seen them at Wal-Mart. __________________ It's happened to the best of them: John 21:3

09-18-09, 11:41 PM	#11
nofearengineer BassFishin.Com Premier Elite Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Southwest IN Posts: 5,630	ROFL, FnG. You could always write those values on the side of your boat in permanent black marker. Of course, you might get some funny looks from other people. __________________ Many men go fishing all of their lives without knowing it is not fish they are after.

09-16-09, 03:14 PM	#3
Fishnngolfn BassFishin.Com Super Veteran Join Date: Jun 2008 Posts: 1,523	I was thinking about something like this one at BPS but how does it know the initial capacity of the battery to begin with so it knows the percentage left?

09-16-09, 09:22 PM	#5
Bender BassFishin.Com Super Veteran Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Brighton, MI Posts: 2,414	Not sure if you have one or not, but on most fishfinders you can have the battery voltage show up on the screen as an option. I do this with one and it reminds me constantly how bad of shape my cranking battery is in.

09-17-09, 08:01 PM	#8
Lancer6 BassFishin.Com Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Somewhere out there Posts: 734	If it's from Wal-Mart it must be good! No...wait! L6

09-18-09, 11:34 AM	#10
Fishnngolfn BassFishin.Com Super Veteran Join Date: Jun 2008 Posts: 1,523	Call me lazy but I am looking for something that tells me the percentage left. I know I can get a volt meter but then I would have to remember what the voltage correlates to as far as how much "juice" is left in the battery. I have a hard enough time remembering what lures and colors and line go with what setup I have and for which lake I'm fishing that day. Maybe I can find a meter that reads something like this: 100% - Full 75% - Keep Fishing 50% - Keep Fishing 25% - You might want to start heading back now 0% - Start paddling because it's dead you moron

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