PakTrakr battery monitor

TheAspec

Greetings fellow BGW members! Long time lurker, first time poster.

I came across this neat little device the other day and was wondering if anyone was using one, if so what are you thoughts?

It's called the PakTrakr 600. The 600 only indicates it will monitor up to 6 batteries, you can purchase just the head unit with any type of configuration required. Manufacture web site below:

http://www.paktrakr.com/index.html

At $150 it's a stretch compared to a Curtis SOC meter at $60 or a Datel voltage meter for around $65-$90 but it does intrigue me. Optional current sensor is available as well.

Anyone with any feedback or thoughts? Thanks!

BGW

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sonicj

the paktrakr is in a whole nother league compared to a curtis or datel SOC. in fact, its like having 6 datels with logging capability. the ability to monitor each battery separately would allow you to identify a problematic cell before it caused damage to the entire string.

i don't own one so i can't speak to it's build quality or durability.

gaminde

That's a lot of money for a digital panel meter, it only measures the pack @ $150 to measure six batteries is an additional $70 and to measure current is another $50 save your money.

Its a nice unit but way over priced

TheAspec

The $150 kit will actually measure the pack and each individual battery. I thought the same thing at first, but from the FAQ

"Q: How many batteries can a PakTrakr monitor?

A: The PakTrakr 600 package monitors 6 batteries. Four additional
6-battery Remotes may be connected, to monitor up to 30 total
batteries"


Never the less, thanks for the input so far!

gaminde

it would be a nice feature if you have the money then its worth it.

sonicj

if you get one, make sure you post some photos of the insides! i want to see how they tackled the analog front end. $150 really isn't too bad imo.
-sj

dougmcp

Cool little unit but maybe overkill for a golf cart.
With the same connections you could use a regular $15 voltmeter and a 6 position rotary switch. IMO it's just too many battery connections to make these a practical item. If you want to see amperage draw, just add an ammeter and shunt.

gaminde

are you talking about the the ADC input they have 6 input serial chips that you just bump up each read by one digit using a PIC Chip. It would be really nice if all batteries displayed at once, and you did not have to scroll through.

sonicj

yes the ADC inputs. the difficulty is common mode isolation within a series string.

gaminde

I had not thought about that!! I guess the next step is a multiplex chip or maybe two. it also seems that you can use two adc inputs and read that way this is from memory Ill look over my data sheets. Guess that means two chips with 6 channels.