The unit you show looks like what I might could use.  I know the
electrolyte is the real way to know for certain but I'm looking for a way
that will not be such a process..opening battery boxes, dripping acid around
inside, carrying around a hydrometer and trying to keep that clean, etc.

  I am gonna get one of the voltminders..I can use that in our camptrailer,
my Alaskan camper, the vanagon and even a regular car..it looks like.  With
a little creative wiring, I should be able to devise a way to read either my
coach battery or my starting battery in the vehicles..Cool, thank you.
  Don Hanson

On Tue, Jan 26, 2010 at 2:42 PM, Harold Teer <teer.vanagon@gmail.com> wrote:

> Don,
>
> I am using the Volt~Minder in my Westy to monitor my auxiliary battery and
> have been pleased with its performance.
>
> Volt~Minder site:  "http://www.voltminder.com/"
>
> Pics of my installation:  "http://picasaweb.google.com/teerhb/VoltMinder#"
>
> Let me know if you have questions,
>
> Harold
> ___
> Harold Teer
> 1991 Westy (Vangaux)
> Harrisonburg, VA
>
>
>
>
>
> On Tue, Jan 26, 2010 at 2:49 PM, Don Hanson <dhanson928@gmail.com> wrote:
>
>>  Is there a way to tell about the auxilliary battery condition in a VW (or
>> any rig, for that matter)?  I've been working with all kinds of batteries
>> over the years and I always have been puzzled about how to find out what I
>> might expect from the battery.  I have a digital multimeter and I get
>> voltage readings but I'm told that is no real indicator of how good the
>> battery is charged or is capabale of being charged...
>>  Is there an instrument that I could wire into my systems (I have a few
>> different vehicles with multiple battery systems) where I might get an
>> actual meaningful readout that would tell me..."Hey, don't expect much
>> more
>> from this battery till you charge it more" or "this battery is shot" or
>> "all
>> your batteries are in fine shape with 100% charge"?
>>  I have seen battery condition indicator gauges in yachts..I've seen
>> voltage indicators on some rigs.  My travel trailer has an LED readout and
>> for that matter, so does my semi-westie van...but those things seem pretty
>> much a joke...
>>   What should I wire into my systems to give me a better handle on how
>> much
>> juice I have in the batteries?  Is there anything that works..or do I just
>> have to keep guesstimating as I have been doing all these years?
>>  Thanks, Don Hanson
>>
>
>