Can I hook up a volt meter to each battery and one to the whole pack?

[Linguolizzard]

Hi All,
Theoretically, could you hook up a in dash volt meter DVM to each individual battery and another one that would read the whole pack?
Just curious, not sure I would ever do this, but was looking at a boat console (big boat) and it had this massive console with buttons and gauges everywhere. I noticed it had a section with all these readings, I think it was temp readings for the different motors. Anyways got me thinking of Sci-fi from the 60s and 70s where they would have the elaborate setups to make things look “futuristic”. If only they knew what the future would actually be… just tv screens everywhere.
Then I though if done right it would be kinda cool looking to see these volt meters going all at once. And nice to see battery health to.
Dr who actually used golf carts quite a bit to make alien vehicles. It made me laugh when I saw them reaching down to move the FnR lever to move the vehicle. So weird how many aliens drive golf carts…

[ojo]

Nice idea... and yes, you could do that. It's also possible to charge a single battery in the pack without disconnecting anything

[DaveTM]

No different than a BMS setup. Because I have a lithium pack, my BMS gives me individual cell voltage and pack voltage. It also tells me amps during charging. Maybe more…I’ve had it so long now that I forget all of it’s features.

But I do know it does it’s job.

[Volt_Ampere]

You have to be careful what kind of meters you use. If they use separate power, it must be isolated or the meters will not work when connected to multiple batteries. A BMS is designed to do this - and you can get a BMS that has a dash display that will show individual battery voltages.

[scottyb]

We used to offer a setup with a SPDT switch where our meter would monitor the pack and an aux battery. Today our meter can no longer read the single battery (too low).
Theoretically given the right meter range you could use one meter and about 7 switches to read the pack or 6 individual batts.

[55BigBlock]

I would think a multi position rotary switch along with a 0-12 VDC meter would work.

[scottyb]

Originally Posted by 55BigBlock

I would think a multi position rotary switch along with a 0-12 VDC meter would work.

Maybe even a rotary multi position switch This one is 10 positions > https://www.sparkfun.com/products/13253

The negative connection would to the pack main negative. Then the main positive and a separate littl 20/22g wire from each battery positive to the rotary switch positions. Should do it.

[Volt_Ampere]

You have to move BOTH wires to measure each battery individually. If using a rotary switch, it has to be a dual gang one that moves two wires.

[scottyb]

Originally Posted by Volt_Ampere

You have to move BOTH wires to measure each battery individually. If using a rotary switch, it has to be a dual gang one that moves two wires.

Duh of course they do - brain fart.....

Do you think all of the negatives could share a common connection? If yes the rotary dial would still work

[Volt_Ampere]

No - All of the negatives need to be isolated or you would have a dead short across each battery.