Battery monitor panel 400

AMac

In the 400, there are the following notations on the battery monitor panel located just inside the trailer door: 4 lights = "C", 3 lights = "G", 2 lights = "F", and 1 light = "L". Dealer says fully charged AGM battery is 13.4 volts and to never let it get below 11 volts. Has anyone correlated the monitor panel lights to specific battery voltages? [edited to change references to volts]

RollingBnB

That would be volts not amps.

AMac

RollingBnB said:

That would be volts not amps.

Thanks - using dealer's words. Would still like to know correlation of monitor panel indciator light to battery state of charge.

SAM

AMac, do you mean you want to know how many amps the lights draw?

AMac

SAM said:

AMac, do you mean you want to know how many amps the lights draw?

No, I want to know what the lights mean - in the simplest terms, is it okay for the state of charge of the AGM battery to get down to one light ("L") before charging it?  

SAM

Does the 400 battery monitor display voltage, amps or percent of charge?  Do you have a See Level monitor also with battery charge?

AMac

SAM said:

Does the 400 battery monitor display voltage, amps or percent of charge?  Do you have a See Level monitor also with battery charge?

We don't know @SAM - that's why the question above - monitor is 4 lights, labeled "C", "G", "F" and "L" from highest (4 lights) to lowest (1 light).  No explanation that I could find in the manuals provided with the tab regarding what the lights mean, and dealer could not tell me.  Not sure what purpose the monitor panel serves as it relates to the battery if we can't find out what it indicates.

Michigan_Mike

AMac said:

No explanation that I could find in the manuals provided with the tab regarding what the lights mean, and dealer could not tell me.  Not sure what purpose the monitor panel serves as it relates to the battery if we can't find out what it indicates.

I wouldn't place a lot of value on a light system personally.  If it were me, I would purchase a 12 V LED cigarette style plug in meter to at least provide a ballpark read on where the battery voltage is at.  If your trailer is equipped for solar you could also download a smartphone app that will give you actual real time voltage data.  In the interim, you can buy the LED meter noted above at Walmart or a local automotive store.  

AMac

Michigan_Mike

From the looks of the photo you just press on the respective button designated for Gray - Black - Fresh Water tanks and the display to the left will let you know whether it is 25% - 50% - 75% or 100% full or empty.  The same would apply for the battery, but without actually knowing the voltage output that will be a guess.  that's why I recommend a simple 12V LED meter or consider having a more sophisticated set-up like the Trimetric voltage monitoring system.   We do have members who use the Trimetric set-up.  

AMac

Michigan_Mike said:

From the looks of the photo you just press on the respective button designated for Gray - Black - Fresh Water tanks and the display to the left will let you know whether it is 25% - 50% - 75% or 100% full or empty.  The same would apply for the battery, but without actually knowing the voltage output that will be a guess.  that's why I recommend a simple 12V LED meter or consider having a more sophisticated set-up like the Trimetric voltage monitoring system.   We do have members who use the Trimetric set-up.  

Yep! Was just hoping somebody might already know what voltage the readouts correlated to. If we end up figuring it out using your tips on measuring voltage from the cigarette type outlet we'll post it here!

skwhee

Here's what we learned from nüCamp:
C - Charged
G - Good
F - Fair
L - Low

So far we do not know how any of that relates to voltage or depth of discharge. 

in a 400 with the solar package the solar controller monitors the voltage and is bluetooth capable. Although it is located under the bed the smartphone app is easy to use. For more information on that here's a link to a relevant forum discussion:
http://tabforum.nucamprv.com/#/discussion/comment/78113

If your unit did not come with the solar package, Michigan Mike's suggestion of a voltmeter that plugs into the 12V (round) receptacle to the left of the kitchen window is the simplest solution.

Hope this helps. If we learn more, we'll certainly share. 

Happy Trails!
Steve & Karen 

MuttonChops

As others have noted your best approach is to use a true voltage meter. That could be the '12v lighter' outlet and a multimeter solution like the INNOVA 3721 Battery and Charging System Monitor or a fancy 'dash mounted' display panel. Both types have manufacturers providing products over a wide purchase price range.

As for the TAB Panel Battery Light vs Battery Voltage.

Disclaimer: The following is speculation on my part. I have no direct knowledge of the TAB installed monitor panel.

TAB Panel operates like and appears to be similar to a standard KIB Electronics Monitor Panel. Perhaps it is a TAB branded variation of the KIB M21VW Micro Monitor System found at RV & Marine supply stores.

Some years ago I installed a KIB M21VW on my boat and obtained the installation & troubleshooting manual. Standard Battery Voltage levels across a number of Micro Monitor models are in the manual and are as follows:

Note: To measure the voltage the Micro Monitor compares a reference voltage to the battery voltage. The circuit to generate the reference voltage (per the manual) is stable between 9 and 35 volts. A battery voltage below 9V will cause the reference voltage to be unstable. Would think that 'low light' could be anything below 9V.

The table suggests you need to recharge when the 'Fair light' turns on. Waiting for the 'Low light' will place the battery well below recommended discharge levels.