| Installation depth | 2 cm |
|---|---|
| Nominal voltage | 12 V, 24 V |
| Nominal current | 3 mA |
| Width | 9,5 cm |
| Height | 9 cm |
| Depth | 2 cm |
| Net weight | 400 g |
| Pack size | 17,6 x 13,9 x 8,4 cm |
| Catalogue page | 571 |
If only it were that simple:
Plug the sensor into the battery, connect it to a display unit – and the available current is displayed. Cheap display units simply measure the on-board voltage and try to derive a fill level from it. Today's RV batteries keep the voltage in the upper range for a very long time, but then it drops almost abruptly. Such an indicator is therefore completely useless as a capacity indicator. Ultimately, only special electricity meters such as the battery computers MT iQ BASICPRO or the MT 4000/5000 iQ by Büttner Elektronik offer a functional solution.
These devices measure the current flowing into and out of the RV battery/batteries. In the Basic, the battery cables are simply fed through an induction sensor. The determined value is transmitted to the electronics and shown on a display. At the same time, the current value is processed in a calculation programme to determine the current battery capacity, which is also displayed. This may sound simple, but it is not, as many parameters have to be taken into account.
It is, however, easy to install: attach the induction sensor or shunt to the negative terminal of the RV battery/batteries and fully charge the battery pack. The battery computer then displays the currently available battery capacity in Ah or, at the touch of a button, also in %. Both devices also display the system voltage, the remaining running time and the currently flowing charge/discharge current. The MT 4000/5000 iQ can also determine the remaining running time and switch a consumer on or off via a freely programmable switching output using an additional relay. The outdoor temperature (min/max memory) as well as date and time can also be displayed.
Which device should I use?
The MT iQ BASICPRO with its 200 A induction transmitter displays all important basic information. How much battery capacity is left? With how much current is the battery currently being charged or discharged? Simply feed the battery cable through the transmitter. Connect the positive and negative cables directly to the transmitter (5 m, included in the scope of delivery). Fully charge the battery. Done.
The MT 4000/5000 iQ works similarly. However, with this model, a measuring shunt must be connected to the negative terminal of the battery. To do this, remove the existing battery cables and attach them to the shunt.
The MT 4000/5000 iQ is available with three shunt versions. The 100 A version is sufficient for recreational vehicles with standard consumers and an inverter of less than 1000 W. For larger consumers, the 200 A version (inverter up to 2000 W) or the 400 A version (inverter over 2000 W or bow thruster) is used.
The basic model with induction measurement provides information on current flow as well as the remaining capacity (in % and Ah) in the vehicle battery/batteries. At the push of a button, the remaining time is also available. This shows how much time is left until power runs out with current consumption. The values are displayed on a multi-display. Simply specify the value that interests you the most. The other values will be displayed on the screen as well.
Installation and programming are very simple: just disconnect the existing battery cables from the battery, lead them through the induction measuring sensor and reconnect them. Then set the battery computer according to the existing capacity and carry out a full charge. At the push of a button, you will see how much battery capacity is still available.
Scope of delivery: induction sensor and housing (both recessed and surface mounting possible).
