Load testing battery pack

[Dwalls]

Originally Posted by yurtle

I have dedicated wires for all nine batteries. A rotary switch goes from Off, Pack, Battery one through eight, then Aux battery. Overkill, but I had the parts laying around, so...

"So...", show us a picture please

[yurtle]

Wires, rotary switch, fuse blocks, dash, volt meter.

My dash ammeter shunt can be seen on top of battery hold downs.

[Dwalls]

That is a nice looking setup. Where did you get the rotary dial or what exactly is it called?

Thank you for the pictures.

[yurtle]

I can't find the make/model right now. I know I have the spec sheet, but it's a mil spec 12 position two pole rotary switch, with an adjustable stop, so it can be anywhere from 2 positions to 12.

I bought it for another project, where I wanted 12 discrete possibilities, but ended up designing a circuit to use a pot instead.

[yurtle]

Found it.

EDIT:
It would be silly for anyone to do this, but if you do, I fused each wire before running in a shielded cable to the switch in front. Also, you only need n+1 wires where n= number of batteries. Battery #1 has - and +. All other batteries only need +. That's the reason for the "twisty" red jumpers. + on Battery#1 = - on Battery#2.

[Dwalls]

Originally Posted by yurtle

Found it.

EDIT:
It would be silly for anyone to do this

I guarantee you that if I do this it certainly would not be the silliest thing that I have ever done. haha

I do like the idea of being able to check the balance of the battery bank with just a quick spin of the dial, much easier than having to check each one individually one at a time.

You never know, enough beer, late one night and not ready for bed, this just may happen.

Thank you for the pictures and ideas.