Saturday, February 6, 2010

[Electric Boats] PAKTRAKER CURRENT PROBE DILEMMA

 

Last year when the display on my Zantrex XBM battery meter display died. I purchased a Paktrakr battery monitor with the optional current probe as a replacement.  But, thanks to a tip from Mathew Geier here on the Electric Boats  list I was able to get a replacement part and fix the XBM:
 
I still hooked up the Paktrakr which works great for measuring the individual battery voltages but, I never did hook up the current probe.The Paktrakr current probe requires I use a copper bus bar attached to the most negative battery negative terminal. The Paktrakr current probe slips over this copper bus bar and measures the induced current. I have been debating about whether or not I should install the current probe for the following reasons:
 
1) It adds another connection point in the system and a possible failure point.
 
2) I am concerned about corrosion issues. The bus bar which is copper will be connected to the battery terminal (lead) with a stainless steel bolt. My boat lives in a saltwater environment and  worry that galvanic corrosion might be a problem.
 
So I am turning to those on the list for advice to this dilemma. It would be nice to have a backup current meter via the Paktrakr. Am I worrying to much about the corrosion/connection issues? I welcome comments on this issue.
 
Capt. Mike
http;//biankablog.blogspot.com
 
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