Connecting it to the system: It is wired almost the same as the present TriMetric.  The terminal block for the G1, G2, Sig and + is exactly as the TM-2020.  The only difference is that the 5th position (formerly referred to as “M+”)  is now called B2+ .  B2+ can go to the + terminal of a second battery to enable the meter to monitor the VOLTAGE (only) of the second battery (for example, the starting battery)  in a two battery system, typical of those found in many RV’s.   (This assumes that the negative side of both battery systems are both connected together.

Primary display items: After first connecting the unit, briefly push the SELECT button  (repeatedly)  to cycle through VOLTS B2 (volts on the starting battery), then information on the interior appliance battery :VOLTS B1 , AMPS, and  BATTERY%FULL .  The 4 green lights will illuminate to indicate which is being viewed.  When AMPS is negative, that means the battery is discharging, and when positive it is charging. (As mentioned below, this meter has an option for substituting “WATTS” for :AMPS, if desired.)

Supplementary display items:To view the additional, supplemental data, (as indicated in the list shown on the lower part of the front panel)  hold down SELECT for a few seconds until the “Ah” appears in the display.  Then release the button and toggle through the following additional 4 items  : Ah=Amp hours from full, dSC= The number of days since the battery has been fully charged . dSE=Days since the battery was equalized. Pr (“power”)=Watts going in/out of the battery.

Do you prefer to read “watts” or “amps”?. As mentioned,  this meter allows you to see the flow of energy in or out of the battery by either observing the AMPS or WATTS.  (Watts=Amps x system volts).  When originally received, the AMPS are among the primary display items, and the WATTS show on the supplementary display items.  If desired, you may switch the order, so that the WATTS show as a primary item, the  AMPS show as the secondary item. This is done by the P4 program item described below.  A small label that says “Watts” is supplied with this meter that may be used to place over the “Amps” nomenclature on the panel if this is desired.

After wiring the monitor into your system, for the meter to measure “Battery % full” correctly  you must set some values into the TriMetric that tell it some important parameters about your system.

Important note if you are interested in maximizing your battery life.:  One of the most important numbers to know about your batteries if you wish to maximize their life is the “Recommended bulk charging voltage” for the batteries.  This number  will be different for different types of batteries: for example, 12 volt  liquid electrolyte lead acid batteries will have a bulk charging voltage of about 14.4 -14.7 volts.  AGM or Gel batteries will have a lower voltage, perhaps at 13.9-14.3 volts. The manufacturer of the batteries will have this information.  Your charger(s)  must then be set to the battery manufacturer’s (not the charger manufacturer) recommended  voltage.  If the voltage is too low or too high, battery life will be impaired. It is especially important to get correct for the AGM or Gel types.     If you have multiple charging sources, for example if you have a stand alone generator, a charger or converter that charges batteries from the line or from stand alone generator, and also solar, or perhaps also your engine alternator, they all must be set identically according to what the battery manufacturer recommends. Although some chargers just have a switch that says “AGM” or “Liquid electrolyte” to set this voltage, it is useful for you to know this actual voltage number’ since you now own a TriMetric, to check that the charger is really charging correctly.   If all chargers are not set correctly  you may be buying replacement batteries before you expected.

How do I use the TriMetric to determine if this is correct?  Whenever you start charging a battery that is at a low state of charge you will observe that the battery voltage will be significantly less than the bulk charging voltage. As the battery becomes more charged the battery voltage will gradually increase.  At some point the charger will put a ceiling on this voltage, and refuse to allow the voltage to go higher.  This is the “bulk charging voltage” that the charger is set to.  From then on, as the charger continues to charge while the voltage will remain fixed, but the current (amps) will go lower and lower until the battery is fully charged.  One way to check this bulk charging voltage is to occasionally watch for this maximum voltage as the battery is charging.  Another way for more advanced users is to observe the “Historical data”, which is available as a more advanced function, described below.  The advantage of this is that you need not be constantly watching the meter, but can get the data later as a recorded value.

Entering the necessary setpoints to make the meter work properly with your system: After the meter is connected to the system, and after a preliminary check to see that it is measuring “volts” and “amps” correctly, then you can enter some numbers into the TriMetric, which are characteristics of your system.  These numbers must be correct for the "Battery % Full" and "Amp-Hours from full" displays to work correctly.

How to view and/or enter the programmed setpoints into the TriMetric.

1. Push and hold down “SELECT”  until you see the “P1” come into the display. Then immediately let up on SELECT.  If you miss it the first time, just keep holding until it comes up again, and then immediately release SELECT.

2. P1 will alternate with the value of Charged Setpoint volts, as shown in the top row in the table below.

3A. If you do not wish to change the setpoint for P1, push SELECT successively  to observe the data programmed for  P2, P3, P4, etc. as shown in table below3A.

3B If you wish to CHANGE one of the setpoints. Then do the following

1. After having selected to view the item you wish to change:, push BOTH select and reset at once.

2. Use the “RESET” button to change the value until it is satisfactory.

3. When the correct value is in the display, push SELECT to continue.

4. Continue to push SELECT until all program modes have been run through, then it goes eventually back to the regular display .

.

Complexity level 2:  This will add some historical data which will be useful for diagnosing some system problems, especially regarding whether the Trimetric is properly set up and working.

Complexity level 3:  This will allow the historical data of level 2, plus add additional program items for additional functions not used by most people.