LED Battery Meter Hookup

[Rickochet]

Originally Posted by mack Courtney

What is the best way to route the wires from console to battery compartment?
I plan to have the three wires inside a plastic tubing for protection.

I used some split loom plastic conduit from the automotive store. Route it through the holes in the frame under the floor and secure with cable ties.

[scottyb]

Follow the key switch wire route. It goes out the front and down the passenger side of the cart into the battery bay near the controller and pack main connections.

[NBeat]

Originally Posted by JohnnieB

Nice installation.

I like the idea of covering the Tee holder with a SoC list.

If you have an auxiliary 12V battery, you might find a SPDT-Center Off rocker switch that will fit the same hole you made in the panel, so you can take a peek at the 12V battery as well as the pack.

I just purchased my meter and have an auxilary battery . . . how do I wire the meter so that I can switch between displaying the battery pack voltage and the aux battery voltage? SPDT switch with center off . . . can you post a diagram?

[JohnnieB]

Originally Posted by NBeat

I just purchased my meter and have an auxilary battery . . . how do I wire the meter so that I can switch between displaying the battery pack voltage and the aux battery voltage? SPDT switch with center off . . . can you post a diagram?

I screwed up a little on that. If your Auxiliary battery is completely separate from your main battery pack, you'll need a DPDT Center-OFF switch.

[NBeat]

When shopping for a DPDT switch I want to make sure it can handle up to 72volts (planning to upgrade the battery pack). How do I verify the switch can handle it?

[MiltonC]

Originally Posted by NBeat

When shopping for a DPDT switch I want to make sure it can handle up to 72volts (planning to upgrade the battery pack). How do I verify the switch can handle it?

They make them that can handle 125v. That should do it.

Did not find any on the sponsors sites, but you could give them a call. Here one at parts express.

http://www.parts-express.com/pe/show...=%7Bkeyword%7D

[MiltonC]

Originally Posted by MiltonC

They make them that can handle 125v. That should do it.

Did not find any on the sponsors sites, but you could give them a call. Here one at parts express.

http://www.parts-express.com/pe/show...=%7Bkeyword%7D

You might want to check with JohnnieB, the "off momentarily" feature on the switch I showed might cause problems with the gauge.

[Rickochet]

Originally Posted by MiltonC

You might want to check with JohnnieB, the "off momentarily" feature on the switch I showed might cause problems with the gauge.

If he is using the gauge from Scottyb there might be times when he wants to leave the gauge on like during charge or to see the voltage under load so I would get one without the momentary option. The gauge from Scotty uses very little energy and leaving it on all the time is apparently no issue. The switches should be available at most automotive parts places. Napa usually has a good selection of switches.

[JohnnieB]

The switch MiltonC linked to probably wouldn't work too well. It only stays on in either direction while you are pushing the toggle in that direction.

Like Rickochet says, the switch Scotty sells hardly uses any current at all, so you can leave it on all the time without worrying about discharging your batteries.

A DPDT is all that is needed, the center-off part just gives you the option of turning it off when you want to.

My meter is hardwired to the pack and stays on all the time, but if I ever add an accessory battery, I'll probably use on with center-off.
(I don't have any accessories at the present. )

As for voltage, anything that exceeds the planned pack voltage will do, there isn't any current to speak of, so the Amp rating isn't a concern.

[NBeat]

I ordered a "Heavy Duty Toggle Switch DPDT Center Off 20 Amp 125VAC" from Amazon for $3 . . . Hope it works!