Marine Electrical Products

DC Digital Meters

Single-Function Meters

2.88

8235 DC Digital Voltmeter

8236 DC Digital Ammeter

Multi-Function Meters

2.88

MENU SET

8248 DC Digital Multimeter with Alarm

8251 DC Digital Voltmeter with Alarm

Voltage is an indicator of state-of-charge only when a battery's open circuit voltage is measured. Open circuit voltage is obtained when a battery is neither being charged nor discharged and the voltage is allowed to be stabilized. There is disagreement about the length of time the battery is required to rest before a usable open circuit voltage is obtained. However, the user will observe that in the first 10 to 20 minutes of rest the voltage will settle to a figure close to its completely rested open circuit voltage, which is generally considered to be obtained after

24 hours. Gel batteries can take up to 48 hours. With experience, the user will learn the time required for reliable readings on any particular system.

For maximum life a battery should be discharged no more than 50%. Once a battery is about 80% of full charge, its acceptance rate decreases rapidly and it can take a long time to bring the charge to 100%.

For this reason, the practical operating range becomes the 50 - 80% of charge area.

A particularly good treatment of battery management is presented in Nigel Calder's book, Boatowner's Mechanical and Electrical

Manual (Second Edition, McGraw Hill).

Installation Overview

** Variable with voltage, display intensity,

segments illuminated, and sleep mode

1) Physical: The meter should be located in a visible position with easy access for operation of the pushbuttons. The display

Specifications has adjustable brightness for various lighting conditions, but for best visibility do not place

General:

9/16” the meter in full daylight. The location should

Display Character Size

7-60V DC* also be dry and protected. The face is splash

Input Voltage proof and its circuit boards are coated for

Maximum Power Consumption 1.00W** corrosion resistance, but it is not intended for

Minimum Power Consumption 0.60W** use in very wet environments or for

(Sleep mode PN 8248 and PN 8251 Only) installation outside without additional

Voltage Measurement:

0-60V DC protection. Additionally, the wiring should be

Range

0.01V DC located in safe and dry raceways with

Resolution appropriate strain relief.

Accuracy (% of Reading) ± 0.5%***

2) Safety: Installation requires the ability to

Current Measurement:

500A-50mV make high current capacity connections, as

Shunt well as connections directly to the battery

Range ± 500A DC

0.1A DC positive terminal. These connections must

Resolution (below -99.9) be made carefully and fused as indicated in

Resolution (100 to 500) 1A DC wiring diagram. When working on the battery

Accuracy (% of Reading) ± 0.5%***

Depth 3.400” (86.36mm) be sure to wear safety glasses, turn off all

Physical:

Splashproof front

Dimensions Height

Width 2.896” (73.56mm) charging sources, and be careful not to create sparks which might ignite battery gases. The scope of this document does not include instruction in the basic electrical skills necessary to install the meter. If you do not have the necessary basic skills you should

* Applicable for 12, 24, 32, 36, and 42 Volt

DC systems employ a qualified electrician.

Installing Shunt

***± 1 least digit of resolution

Caution:

Positive voltage applied to terminals #4 and

#5 may cause damage not covered by warranty.

Models that have the ability to measure

DC current are supplied with a precision shunt. The shunt must be installed in the negative line of the circuit whose current you wish to measure. For Marine and RV applications this will normally be in the

Theory of Operation

The 8200 Series meters incorporate microprocessor control and advanced electronics specifically designed for power monitoring to provide accurate metering with a variety of adjustable user features. DC meters have the provision for separate power and voltage sensing. Using separate voltage sensing is recommended to minimize the voltage drop caused by the current consumption of the meter itself. This is particularly necessary if the meter is located more than a few feet from the battery or negative line of the battery that supplies the domestic systems. The current must flow through the shunt to be measured. For example, if you connect the negative return wire of a load or source directly to the battery its current will not be measured.

To attain the most accurate reading the shunt must be located adjacent to the battery, avoiding long battery cables. Break the circuit at this point and install the shunt by connecting the ends of the wire under each of the two large bolts at the top of the shunt. It source being measured.

Models that have the ability to measure

DC current come with a precision shunt. The shunt must be installed in the negative line to avoid damage to the meter. The shunt is a precise resistance that is temperature stable.

It has a full current rating of 500 Amps and when 500 Amps flows it generates a voltage of 50 mV (0.050 V). Thus, 10 Amps generates 1.0 mV, 1 Amp generates 0.1 mV, and 0.1 Amp generates only 0.01 mV. This is a very small signal and you must be sure that all connections are secure and well made. It is also necessary to use twisted pair wire to minimize susceptibility to electrical system noise.

makes no difference which wire is attached to which bolt. The small screws are for the meter sense leads and should have no current-carrying connections made to them as this will affect measurement accuracy.

Use this simple example: Disconnect everything from the battery negative and

connect it to one side of the shunt, this is now referred to as the Load Side of the shunt.

Run a single cable capable of carrying the maximum combined current of all loads between the other side of the shunt and the

battery negative; we will call this the Battery side of the shunt. This cable must be as big, or bigger than the largest cable connected to the Load side of the shunt.

WARNING

Use The shunt must be installed in the negative line to avoid damage to the meter. Positive voltage applied to terminals #4 and #5 will cause damage not covered by warranty.

A full discussion of the subject of battery management is beyond the scope of these instructions. However, the following will alert meter users to some of the issues requiring further study.

Battery management is the key to a healthy electrical system. There are several ways to measure the state of charge in a battery or battery bank. The three most common methods are:

1. Open Circuit Voltage

2. Electrolyte Specific Gravity

3. Net Amp-Hours

Voltage is an effective method of determining charge condition when properly used with an understanding of the battery charge and discharge process. The table below shows the state of charge for different type batteries. Please note the difference between a full and a discharged battery is about 1 volt.

All Models: Startup Sequence

Upon power up the meter goes through a self test sequence which lights all the function LEDs, then all segments of the display.

All Models: Using Button for Dimming

2.88

Open Circuit Voltage vs. State-of-Charge

8 . 8 . 8 . 8 .

12 Volt Battery Open Circuit Voltage

State of

Charge

Wet

Cell

Gel

Cell

AGM

100%

75%

50%

12.7-12.6

12.40

12.20

12.95-12.85

12.65

12.35

12.90-12.80

12.60

12.30

25%

0%

12.00

11.80

12.00

11.80

12.00

11.80

Note: Divide values in half for 6-volt batteries.

Pressing the button causes the display to dim. There are three levels of brightness.

Models with a single button also have a fourth sleep mode in which the display is off with the exception of a single decimal point.

Models with three buttons have an automatic sleep mode, which is accessed through the menu as described in the manual.

Three Button Models

The arrow buttons have two functions.

Normally they change the display between

Volts and Amps. When in the MENU mode they are used to navigate through the functions or adjust the values.

The center button has three functions.

Normally it is used to dim the display. Holding the button for 2 seconds will access the

MENU and while in the MENU mode, pressing it is used to SET or store the displayed value to memory.

Press arrow buttons to display

Volts or Amps

In MENU use to adjust values.

MENU SET

Hold for 2 seconds to access the

MENU

Press to select a

MENU mode or to SET a value to memory

Sleep Mode - SLP

S L P

MENU SET

The Sleep mode is a simple power- saving feature. If there are no button presses for 10 minutes the display goes to sleep and only a single decimal point is lit.

Pressing any button causes the meter to exit the sleep mode and revert to the last displayed function.

To access the Sleep mode, hold the button for two seconds. Use the arrow buttons to scroll until Slp is in the display.

Press to select the Sleep mode. U se the

arrow buttons to select or off.

(Default OFF) Press the button to save the selection to memory. Two short beeps will let you know you have successfully set the function and the meter will revert to the last displayed function.

Scan Mode - SCA

MENU SET

The Scan mode will automatically scroll the display between Volts and Amps displaying each for about 3 seconds. If the

arrow buttons are pressed the Scan mode is temporally suspended and the buttons may be used to manually scroll through the measured parameters. If no button is pressed for 10 minutes the Scan mode is resumed.

To access the Scan mode, hold the button for two seconds. Use the arrow buttons to scroll until Sc is in the display.

Press to select the Scan mode. Use the

arrow buttons to select or off.

(Default OFF) Press the button to save the selection to memory. Two short beeps will let you know you have successfully set the function and the meter will revert to the last displayed function.

High Voltage Alarm - HI

H I

Flashing

MENU SET

Set the meter to display voltage using the arrow buttons. The V function LED will be on. Hold the button for two seconds to access the MENU. Use the arrow buttons to scroll until

HI

is in the display.

Press to select the High Voltage Alarm.

Flashing

MENU SET

Use the arrow buttons to select or

off

(Default OFF). Press the button to save the selection to memory and continue.

4.80

V V

Flashing

MENU SET

The present setting will appear in the display (Default 14.80). If the set point is acceptable, press the button or wait for 15 seconds and the meter will revert to normal operation. Otherwise use the arrow buttons to select the desired value. For example, press and hold the right button to scroll up to 14.90.

4.90

V V

Flashing

MENU SET

Press the button when the desired set point is displayed and the new value will be saved to memory. Two short beeps will let you know you have successfully set the new value and the meter will revert to normal operation.

Low Voltage Alarm - LO

Setting the LO alarm is exactly like setting the HI alarm. First select the V function , then h old down the button for 2 seconds to enter the menu. Use the

arrow to scroll until

lo

appears in the display.

Flashing

MENU SET

Press to continue, or will appear.

Press arrow until is displayed.

Flashing

MENU SET

Press button to continue. The present setting will be displayed. (Default 10.80) Use

arrow to select the LO alarm value, press

to store to memory.

0.80

V V

Flashing

MENU

SET

Acknowledging an Alarm

LO

W

MENU SET

Display Alternates

0.00

MENU SET

If an alarm occurs, the audible alarm will sound and the display will alternate between the type of alarm and the measured value.

Silence by pressing the button. Display will alternate between the alarm condition and the value. Every 5 minutes the alarm will give four beeps and display the alarmed parameter. This will continue until the alarm condition is cleared, or the alarm function is turned off, or the set point changed.

If in Sleep an alarm will “wake up” the meter and it will function as above. After 10 minutes of no acknowledgement it will reenter the Sleep mode. Every 5 minutes it will give four audible beeps and display the alarmed condition and measured value for 30 seconds before going back to sleep.

Displaying the Code Revision

For customer service convenience, all models are able to display the revision of software installed in the meter. To see the software revision for meters with a single button, press and hold the center ( ) button. To see the revision on meters with three buttons, press and hold the two arrow buttons. In either case, the power-up test will be preformed and the software revision will be displayed.

Terminal Block

Wiring Diagram

BACK OF THE METER

1 2 3 4 5 6 PN 8248

FROM NEGATIVE

DC DISTRIBUTION

(ALL LOADS AND

SOURCES)

#1

Load Side

#4

Bolt

Shunt

Screw

Battery Side

#5

#3

Battery

Fuse (0.5A to 2.0A)

(typical two places)

#2

DO NOT

INSTALL

SHUNT IN

POSITIVE

TO BATTERY

SWITCH

TO BATTERY

SWITCH

Battery

Terminal Block

BACK OF THE METER

1 2 3 4 5 6

PN 8236

Terminal Block

BACK OF THE METER

1 2 3 4 5 6

Fuse (0.5A to 2.0A)

(typical two places)

#2

FROM NEGATIVE

DC DISTRIBUTION

(ALL LOADS AND

SOURCES)

#1

Load Side

#4

Bolt

Shunt

Screw

Battery Side

#5

#3

Battery

TO POSITIVE

DC DISTRIBUTION DO NOT

INSTALL

SHUNT IN

POSITIVE

PN 8235

PN 8251

Fuse (0.5A to 2.0A)

(typical two places)

#2

FROM NEGATIVE

DC DISTRIBUTION

(ALL LOADS AND

SOURCES)

TO POSITIVE

DC DISTRIBUTION

Battery

Mounting Methods

2.625"

66.68mm

Wire by Wire Instructions

NOTE:

All meter wiring #16 AWG.

All models require wire #1 and #2.

Wire #3 used for models PN8235, PN8248, and PN8251.

Wire #4 and #5 are required for PN8236 and PN8248 only.

Wire #1 (Negative)---Supplies the DC negative return from the meter. Make the connection as close as possible to the DC negative battery terminal to attain the most accurate meter reading. If installing a current sensing meter, connect to the Load Side of the shunt. The connection to the shunt must be made under the large bolt, not the small sense screws.

Wire #2 (Power 7-60V DC Positive)---Supplies power for meter operation. It may be a different source than the voltage being measured provided the negatives are common. For example, the meter can be powered from a 12V system and measure the voltage of a 24V battery, if the negatives of the two batteries are connected together. This wire must be fused as close to the source as possible (any fuse between 0.5A and 2.0A is acceptable.)

Wire #3 (Voltage Sensing 0-60V DC Positive)---This wire supplies the voltage to be measured.

Separate voltage sensing is recommended if the source is more than a few feet from the meter. This helps reduce errors due to voltage drop in the wires to the meter. Make the connection as close as possible to the DC positive battery terminal to attain the most accurate meter reading. This wire must be protected by a fuse (any size between 0.5A and 2.0A). If the meter is close to the measured source, then terminals #2 and #3 may be jumped together and a single wire may be used for power and voltage sensing.

The next two wires must be a twisted pair to avoid electrical system noise that will affect the accuracy of current measurement. You may twist your own by hand or by using an electric

drill motor, or you may purchase twisted pair wire from most electrical supply companies.

Wire #4 (Current Shunt Load Side Sense)---For models that measure DC current, wires #4 and #5 provide the mV signal (generated by current flow in the shunt) to the meter for current measurement.

Wire #4 must be connected under the small screw on the side of the shunt, which is connected to the negative Loads and Sources in the system. It must be a twisted pair with Wire #5.

Wire #5 (Current Shunt Battery Side Sense)---Must be securely connected under the small screw on the side of the shunt, which is connected to the battery negative. It must be a twisted pair with

Wire #4.

Wire #6 Not used.

1

THROUGH HOLE MOUNT

GASKET

SEAL

MOUNTS IN 2.00”

50.8mm DIA. HOLE

NUT

FINGER

TIGHTEN

ONLY!

2

2.431”

61.75mm

0.810”

20.57mm

PANEL MOUNT

2.270"

57.66mm

2.896”

73.56mm

STEP 1

1.260"

32.00mm

0.226"

5.74mm

0.650”

16.51mm

0.125"

3.18mm

PANEL

#4

SCREW

1.50” MAX

38.1mm

2.750”

69.85mm

STEP 2

LOCKING RING

MUST GO ON

BEFORE

MOUNTING NUT

INSTALL

FROM

BEHIND

PANEL

REMOVE DRESS BEZEL

BEFORE INSTALATION

Limited Warranty

Any Blue Sea Systems product with which a customer is not satisfied may be returned for a full refund or replacement at the option of Blue Sea Systems for a period of two years from the date of purchase. Blue Sea

Systems warrants that this product (1) will be free of defects in workmanship or material, and (2) will give the purchaser the service and satisfaction the purchaser has a right to expect. The benefits and limitations of this warranty shall extend only to the original purchaser.

To obtain warranty service, mail or deliver the Blue Sea Systems product or part to the following address:

Blue Sea Systems Inc.

425 Sequoia Drive Bellingham, WA 98226 USA

Please include a written explanation of the problem or defect. Before warranty performance will be rendered by Blue

Sea Systems, you must submit a purchase receipt or other proof of purchase, reflecting the date of purchase to be within two years of the date the product is mailed or shipped to Blue Sea Systems for warranty service.

This warranty covers normal commercial or consumer use. It does not cover damage that occurs in shipment or that results from alteration, accident, misuse, abuse, neglect or failure to follow printed instructions.

TO THE EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW, THIS WARRANTY IS EXCLUSIVE, AND IS MADE EXPRESSLY IN LIEU

OF ALL OTHER WARRANTIES, INCLUDING THE WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR

PARTICULAR USE AND OF ALL OTHER OBLIGATIONS OR LIABILITIES ON THE PART OF BLUE SEA

SYSTEMS.

Blue Sea Systems does not assume, or authorize any other person to assume for it, any other liability in connection with the sale of this product. This warranty shall not be extended, altered or varied except by a written instrument signed by Blue Sea Systems and the purchaser. Blue Sea Systems makes no warranty whatsoever in respect to accessories or parts not supplied by it. No attempt by Blue Sea Systems or its representatives to remedy any defects shall constitute a waiver of any of the limitations of this warranty.

To the extent permitted by law, the remedies of repair or replacement set forth in this warranty are exclusive, and

Blue Sea Systems shall not be liable for any loss or incidental or consequential damages resulting, directly or indirectly, from the use or loss of use of its products. The liability of Blue Sea Systems shall not, except as expressly provided herein or as required by law, exceed the price of the product or part on which such liability is based. This limitation of remedy shall preclude, to the extent permitted by law, recovery under this warranty of any expenses or loss by the purchaser for downtime or for making up downtime, recovery of damages for which the purchaser may be liable to other persons, recovery for damage to other property, and recovery for injury to or death of any person.

Some states do not allow limitations on how long an implied warranty lasts, or the exclusion or limitation of incidental or consequential damages, so some or all of the above limitations or exclusions may not apply to you.

This warranty gives you specific legal rights, and you may also have other rights which vary from state to state.

PLUG

(IF REQUIRED)

3.375”

85.73mm

Blue Sea Systems Inc.

425 Sequoia Drive Bellingham, WA 98226 USA

Phone (360)738-8230 Fax (360)734-4195

E-mail [email protected] www.bluesea.com

Document 8732 Rev.I