Link 10 Display Voltage Vs. Multimeter

[zboss]

All,

After returning from a week away the boat, the first thing I did before turning anything on or plugging anything in was to take a voltage reading at the battery bank using my very good multimeter against the posts on one of the batteries. I did not remove any wires from the house bank (I am assuming this is SOP for measuring the voltage).

Then, I checked the voltage on the xantrex link 10 and it was reading .5 to .10 volts higher.

Is this common for the xantex or is there some way to calibrate the voltages?

Thanks,

- z

[Scott Berg]

.1 doesn't surprise me, .5 does

Are these no load voltages?

S

[noelex 77]

Make sure nothing is on so you are not measuring voltage drop in the wiring.

The next thing I would check is the multimeter they do drift out of calibration. At least try some new batteries in it.

Check all of the connections.

I don't know if the link is adjustable. Most monitors are reasonably accurate, but are not adjustable at least without opening them up.

[zboss]

Sorry, I mistyped the voltages... .05 and .1 NOT .5

So... this is "normal"?

[noelex 77]

Yes. These sort of discrepancies are normal. The handbook will indicate the accuracy of the display for both the multimeter and the battery monitor.
Don't worry about 0.05v.

[RaymondR]

I have used an analogue panel meter expanded to read 10 - 15 volts by placing a 10 volt zener diode in series. It is permanently connected and I glance at it quiet often during the day and have become accustomed to the voltage behavior of my house battery and panel system as it cycles through it's daily charge/discharge cycle. I now notice fairly quickly any anomalous behavior in the system. I also have two digital multimeters but seldom use them having found the permanently connected analogue job more practical.

[barnakiel]

Plug your VOM into the back of the monitor and what do you see.

Link 10 does not allow for cable loss in the sensing wires.

b.