Hey guys, I want to install some kind of LED battery level meter gauge on my boat so I can keep track of how much power is left in the batteries. I don't even know what to look for. Have any of you guys done this or know what to direct me towards ? ""I don't need to know volts"" I just want a meter level of how charged the battery is.

 

Thanks for any help.

Your graph should be able to tell you voltage

I wasn't looking for Volts as stated, I'm just wanting a LED Power meter to show what state the battery is.

If you know what the voltage is, you will have an idea how much power you have left as the voltage drops as the power is used up.

Something like this?

 

https://smile.amazon.com/WATERWICH-Waterproof-Voltmeter-Digital-Motorcycle/dp/B072JMCW8R/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1521997108&sr=8-3&keywords=boat+volt+meter

Yes, I have seen this one.. Would like to see if anyone has installed something similar on their boat and where they put it.. Also It has to be able to turn off so it doesn't run the battery down.

It’s LED very low amp draw, if you want a switch add it.

Remember you may have more then 1 battery!

Tom

I have a question related to this, I hope the OP doesn't mind if I ask as I am not trying to thread jack just looking for similar information. I'd like to be able to monitor the status of my cranking battery as well. My humminbirds give me a readout like you mentioned @slonezp, around where do you think should I set my low battery alarm? 

 

Here's a LED gauge I'm not sure if you've seen @LoweStinger, 54 reviews on it that may help you find some of the info you are looking for. 

https://www.amazon.com/Aimilar-Battery-Indicator-Motorcycle-Marine/dp/B01E0U0JW4/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1522067965&sr=8-3&keywords=waterproof+led+battery+level+gauge

2 hours ago, RenegadeBassin said:

 

 

Here's a LED gauge I'm not sure if you've seen @LoweStinger, 54 reviews on it that may help you find some of the info you are looking for. 

https://www.amazon.com/Aimilar-Battery-Indicator-Motorcycle-Marine/dp/B01E0U0JW4/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1522067965&sr=8-3&keywords=waterproof+led+battery+level+gauge

Yes, I am actually going to get that one as it has a on off setup, I will be getting one for each battery also.

Here's a picture of one that came with my Polar Kraft.

It only shows the level of the trolling motor batteries.

 

4 hours ago, LoweStinger said:

Yes, I am actually going to get that one as it has a on off setup, I will be getting one for each battery also.

 

If your going to the trouble of installing a volt meter I would suggest something more.  That small meter only has 5 segments:  Charged(probably), mostly charged, mostly dead, and dead battery.  What is the voltage between segments?  I would suggest if you don't get a meter with an actual read out, get one with more segments (the more the better) so you have a better idea of what you have in your battery. 

 

Also, if your want to use one meter for both batteries (12V & 12V) you can use a DPDT (on-off-on) switch on your panel.  This is what I plan on doing, although mine will be analog meter. 

36 minutes ago, Bolar said:

 

If your going to the trouble of installing a volt meter I would suggest something more.  That small meter only has 5 segments:  Charged(probably), mostly charged, mostly dead, and dead battery.  What is the voltage between segments?  I would suggest if you don't get a meter with an actual read out, get one with more segments (the more the better) so you have a better idea of what you have in your battery. 

 

Also, if your want to use one meter for both batteries (12V & 12V) you can use a DPDT (on-off-on) switch on your panel.  This is what I plan on doing, although mine will be analog meter. 

Yeah that's a good point, I would rather see a wider spectrum of the battery life, I also like that gauge polarcraft has on his boat in that picture... That would be way more accurate IMO... I better do more searching.

1 hour ago, PolarKraft195Pro said:

Here's a picture of one that came with my Polar Kraft.

It only shows the level of the trolling motor batteries.

 

Is there an on off to that gauge ? I like that one !

9 hours ago, RenegadeBassin said:

I have a question related to this, I hope the OP doesn't mind if I ask as I am not trying to thread jack just looking for similar information. I'd like to be able to monitor the status of my cranking battery as well. My humminbirds give me a readout like you mentioned @slonezp, around where do you think should I set my low battery alarm? 

 

Here's a LED gauge I'm not sure if you've seen @LoweStinger, 54 reviews on it that may help you find some of the info you are looking for. 

https://www.amazon.com/Aimilar-Battery-Indicator-Motorcycle-Marine/dp/B01E0U0JW4/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1522067965&sr=8-3&keywords=waterproof+led+battery+level+gauge

If it's set too high, it will go off everytime you start the big motor. I think i have mine set somewhere  between 11.0 and 11.3