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 gasmanmd |
Xantrex battery monitor |
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Posts: 65 01/03/06 15:29:39 |
I am interested in upgrading to a battery monitor as part of my battery replacement program. What is the difference between the link 10 and the XBM? Also, has anyone installed one of these in the electrical panel to replace the voltage meter?
Thanks for any advice Scott MissAdventure C#123 |
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lakandjc |
xantrex | #1 | ||
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Posts: 144 01/03/06 15:40:53 |
We installed a Link 1000 on our 42 to monitor our house bank as we cruise in Mexico. We had the link 10 on our previous boat. We like both of these units as they allow us to keep a close eye on battery usage, individual appliance amp requirements, as well as the charging status. They are part of an entire smart charging system using a charger/inverter when on shore power and a high output alternator and smart regulator when underway. It would be hard to get along without them.
Glad to answer specific questions if you have them although I am not an expert, just a user. James Collins s/v White Star Puerta Vallarta |
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tinolanza |
Re: xantrex | #2 | ||
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Posts: 212 01/03/06 16:35:46 |
I've had a Link 20 since the boat was commissioned 5 years ago. It is always nice to have detailed battery usage data and I am very pleased with the unit. We chose the Link 20 because the factory had installed the remote control for the Heart Interface and I did not see the advantage of scrapping that unit for the Link 2000.
Regarding the installation, I would advise against replacing the volt meter. I like the idea of back-up in case something goes wrong. We mounted our Link 20 next to the Heart Interface control unit, above our radio. Regarding the difference between the Link 10 and XMB monitors, I suspect that they simply have different origins. The "Link" units joined the Xantrex family when they acquired Heart Interface while XMB was original Xantrex. Beside the obvious difference in panel design, it appears the XMB has a more capable (optional) interface to an onboard computer. The other specs are similar for our use onboard. Tino Lanza, Dancing Dolphin (#739/3 cabin pullman, Westlake Village, CA)
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nickwigen |
Link 10 | #3 | ||
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Posts: 216 01/03/06 16:44:31 |
We have one on Ursa Minor (#17
 and also had one on our previous boat. Our cranking battery is on a separate system and only use the original volt meter on the steering pedestal. The house bank is 4 golf cart batteries and we normally run them combined as a single bank. The 2nd alternator that charges the house bank is controlled by a multi-step alternator so the Link 10 is sufficient. The Link works as advertised and I've been happy with it on both boats. You could install it in place of one of the volt meters and replace the switch with a single pole-double throw type so the meter could read both batteries if you have the original 2-battery set-up. |
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tinolanza |
Re: Link 10 | #4 | ||
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Posts: 212 01/03/06 23:08:26 |
On our boat (#739) there is but one factory installed volt meter with a toggle switch for reading the individual battery banks (house and windlass).
Tino Lanza, Dancing Dolphin (#739/3 cabin pullman, Westlake Village, CA)
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CaptNorm42 |
Re: Link 10 | #5 | ||
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Posts: 617 01/03/06 23:52:45 Moderator |
Tino,
Since I actually have 4 independent battery banks (2 @ Perko switches), I ran extra wires to the electrical panel (from each battery) & added another double position switch, just like the one Catalina put in. ~~~~_/)~~~~
Norm Perron, Hull #600/2 cabin, Aphrodisiac, Marina del Rey, CA |
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