Low battery alarm ?

Submitted: Monday, Jan 22, 2007 at 22:01

ThreadID: 41515 Views:2695 Replies:5 FollowUps:7

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Taz & Milka-Queanbeyan

With regard to post #41495

I have the electronic knowledge of the average cabbage but last night I thought of a device that may or may not have been thought of before and I don't know if it is even possible to build so I am hoping someone here can either tell me it won't work or possibly produce some.

I made an assumption that all 12 volt batteries regardless of type or capacity would have a mean average voltage level for 45% depletion. Is this correct or would it differ ?

If correct would it be possible to build a device that is triggered when the battery is depleted to this level. The trigger action could light a small flashing LED and or set off some form of annoying electronic noise to alert the relaxing or distracted camper.

I imagined that such a device could be in the form of a hand held unit with alligator clips for periodical checking or hard wired into a vehicle/camper to monitor 1 or more batteries.

I realise that there are commercially available battery monitors - are any fitted with alarms ? - but I thought an alarm would be more helpful to those of us that may suffer from any of the following conditions:

1. Busy making sure kids don't drown/ kill themselves or each other
2. Busy repairing broken vehicle part
3. Busy inspecting inside of hat/ eyelids whilst waiting for a bite on the line
4. Busy appreciating nature with appropriate beverage in hand
5. Busy attending to marital duties whilst kids are unconscious and no one is within earshot or line of sight

If anyone thinks this is a good idea and can actually build such a device please let me know as I would be willing to purchase a couple.

Cheers ... Taz

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Reply By: Member - Teabag (Queanbeyan) - Monday, Jan 22, 2007 at 22:41

Monday, Jan 22, 2007 at 22:41

Taz,

Opposite lock have a dual battery voltage monitor that give battery % level and has an alarm. I have one from my old Patrol and haven't yet installed in the new Patrol......Like everything, it will happen, just not sure when......

PS: Let me know when your back in Queanbeyan and we should catch up for a beverage.....

AnswerID: 217150

Follow Up By: Taz & Milka-Queanbeyan - Monday, Jan 22, 2007 at 23:19

Monday, Jan 22, 2007 at 23:19

I better check their website. I don't need a dual one as I only have one battery in the vehicle - no room with that whopping great compressor under the bonnet- but I carry 2 AGM's in the trailer, one on each side so thats why I was looking for a portable alarm.

I fly into Canberra on the 17th. I need to catch up with Ivan from LCOOL for a few sherbets and to pickup my Unichip. I intend to get the chip installed ASAP and am probably going to splurge on an ARB airlocker .... just trying to decide which axle to put it on (presuming they make one for an IFS).

By March the playdough should be good to go. I want to get in a trip down the coast as well while it is still warm. I am currently suffering through a -10 to -20 winter and would like to thaw out a little before Anzac Day. I also need to get the boat registered and get a license so I can take it for a spin before everything freezes.

The baby is due about 12th April so I can't see me being given a leave pass around that date ... lol.

Hopefully we can organise a few sherbets in March and perhaps a bit of a trek through the hills.

Cheers ... Taz

PS: If its possible to make a small portable alarm I would still like to hear frm someone !

FollowupID: 477587

Reply By: Member - JohnR (Vic)&Moses - Monday, Jan 22, 2007 at 23:36

Monday, Jan 22, 2007 at 23:36

Jaycar actually sell combination battery monitors that can really annoy you. Beep, and LED flashing to warn of low battery and a frost alert from which I have the senso measuring the temperature of air proceeding into my snorkel. The clock portion on mine failed in the first month

AnswerID: 217166

Follow Up By: Taz & Milka-Queanbeyan - Tuesday, Jan 23, 2007 at 03:46

Tuesday, Jan 23, 2007 at 03:46

Hi John,

Had a look on their website. Searched for battery monitor and got the fright of my life - they had those little circuit board thingys. I am quite proud of the fact that I have connected the positive to the positive and the negative to the negative successfully without serious injury several hundred times .... but ...... Just the thought of being handed a small circuit board with the mission to insert it into my vehicle somewhere would end with only one result .... said object would be forcibly ejected through the open window .....

If it has that nice new packaged look with shiny surfaces and lots of blinking lights and all that is required is to connect the + and - then I am a happy camper ... consequently I am awaiting a reply from opposite lock re pricing on their shiny, blinking, flashing gadget.

I can weld, use a lathe, milling machine etc, love power tools etc but electronics and I don't get along too well so I will pay my penance by allowing myself to be extorted for production electronic goods.

Thanks for the heads up.

Cheers ... Taz

FollowupID: 477617

Follow Up By: Member - JohnR (Vic)&Moses - Tuesday, Jan 23, 2007 at 07:21

Tuesday, Jan 23, 2007 at 07:21

Sorry mate, shoulda put a link but by the time I posted I noticed that others had put their in. I haven't found it this morning though. It only needs a positive and negative and a place for the temperature sensor. Gives the inside or outside temperature. Was pictured on here only a few weeks back.

FollowupID: 477630

Follow Up By: Member - JohnR (Vic)&Moses - Tuesday, Jan 23, 2007 at 07:21

Tuesday, Jan 23, 2007 at 07:21

FollowupID: 477631

Follow Up By: Member - JohnR (Vic)&Moses - Tuesday, Jan 23, 2007 at 07:22

Tuesday, Jan 23, 2007 at 07:22

WOW, how did that happen?

FollowupID: 477632

Reply By: Bware (Tweed Valley) - Monday, Jan 22, 2007 at 23:36

Monday, Jan 22, 2007 at 23:36

I don't have an answer but I just finished work and just read your 5 conditions in which an alarm would be helpful; got a good chuckle. Thanks Taz

Regards,

Brian

AnswerID: 217167

Follow Up By: Taz & Milka-Queanbeyan - Tuesday, Jan 23, 2007 at 04:06

Tuesday, Jan 23, 2007 at 04:06

Hi Brian,

Nothing bettr than a healthy chuckle after work, especially if washed down with the appropriate beverage.

You should see the guys I work for .... If you didn't laugh you would have a nervous breakdown.

Cheers ... Taz

PS: Love your flag !

FollowupID: 477619

Reply By: Member - Jeff H (QLD) - Tuesday, Jan 23, 2007 at 03:10

Tuesday, Jan 23, 2007 at 03:10

TMQ (may I address you as TMQ? all that other muck just confuses)
Two things from your post are priceless.
(A). No. 5 no longer applies. Suffer it as often as you may. (SSsiiiighhh)
(B). I've appropriated Gramps' line : hahahaha. May I also borrow "IQ of the average cabbage"? (Would hate to be hit with royalties down the track).

Good attitude you mad pricks: travel well eh. Jeff.

AnswerID: 217181

Follow Up By: Taz & Milka-Queanbeyan - Tuesday, Jan 23, 2007 at 03:59

Tuesday, Jan 23, 2007 at 03:59

Jeff,

Feel free to use "average cabbage", it slips easily off the tongue and is generally good for a laugh ... except with Americans .... the yanks I work with just give you that look thats says it will take a good 30 minutes and lots of hand gestures to explain - too painful - forget it - move on ...

Aah, the old No. 5 ..... Its good work if you can get it. The hardest part is trying to get the opportunity .... Orchestrating 3.5 kids into simultaneous unconsciousness is a lot harder than you would think......lol

Cheers ... Taz

FollowupID: 477618

Reply By: Member - Jeff H (QLD) - Tuesday, Jan 23, 2007 at 04:29

Tuesday, Jan 23, 2007 at 04:29

Thanks TMQ, appreciate your consent.
Mate, 3.5 and still pushing? You have one lovely lady.
(Just wonder why you threw in No. 5 though. Stirring the youngn's, p'raps)
Taz you've got to be on the night shift: where abouts?

AnswerID: 217182