As most are aware, knowing the charge status of our F Type battery is crucial. A low charge can mean trouble for the electronics and spell BIG time inconvenience. I happened upon an item that provides important information to this end for just about nothing. I installed a cigarette lighter USB-a and USB-c fast-charger that incorporates a voltage readout in real time [the battery, when the car is not running, and the charging system when it is].

The one I bought from Amazon [and they have several to choose from] seems to be well made with an aluminum body, makes solid contact, and fits snugly. It looks pretty cool and can be turned off by simply sliding the unit out just a bit in order to break contact. Although I do keep my battery tended when not in use, I think it will be nice to have a "voltage gauge" available.


Also note the Jaguar head button that installs right over the "start" button. I also bought that from Amazon about a year and a half ago. It was also about ten bucks [or less]. It's plastic but it looks great!

 

While I think it is a great idea, those voltage readouts are notoriously inaccurate. I have a couple different kinds in other vehicles and one reads 10.0v and never changes, and the other fluctuates from ~13v to less than 2v about every minute or so. Handy adapters for rapid charging, but don't rely on the display as being accurate. There's a reason why you can get all that for under $10.

 

Got the same one in my car. Very handy, can't believe there isn't a voltage display on the car already. Also cool to see when the alternator kicks on and off.

 

Well I am just going to comment that I love that song and seen Pink Floyd back in the day. I think their last real tour in 1994 without Waters. One of the best shows in my life to date.

 

Having a voltage display is a MUST for any British car!

That said, I plug our radar detector into that power outlet...

 

Some radar detectors have an option to show voltage in the dispaly...at least Escort does this.

I have one hardwired to my fuse box via an unused fuse and it is interesting to watch the fluctuation....and helpful. It goes up after a good drive....etc. Waze gives me the local speed limit and current speed anyway so I don't mind not having the detector do that.

 

I was thinking the same when I first saw it but the reviews were pretty solid and I figured I could always send it back or, in the worst case, I'm only out a ten spot. So far so good.

 

One of the few regrets in my life is I missed my chance to see PF live as I have been a huge fan from the beginning in '67. Had a opportunity in the mid eighties during "The Wall" tour as I was living in Colorado and they were scheduled to play Mile High Stadium at the end of April. Anybody who knows Colorado understands that the weather this time of year can be anywhere from super nice to a raging blizzard.

A friend of mine and I decided that whichever choice we made, the opposite would happen [and since neither of us felt like sitting in the cold and wind] so we opted out and sure enough it was a picture perfect 75F and gorgeous. Guess it wasn't meant to be.

 

My Uniden DFR6 radar detector has a voltage display. It appears to be accurate. It is usually between 12 and 14 volts.

 

Roger Waters puts on a hell of a show these days. Just saw him in LA. It was great music meshed with the best multimedia show I've ever seen at a concert. VERY political, so not for everyone's taste, and some will be offended. But, the brilliance of the staging is worth seeing even if you hate his politics. That said, we sang along with "Hey, teacher, leave those kids alone!", and that alone was worth the trip.

Now, the question is how the heck did Pink Floyd get into this thread? What did I miss?

 

Too bad that asshat Roger Waters made Pink Floyd release the Final Cut. What a turd that was!
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I stuck one of these in the 12V outlet in my Jag. I tell my passengers that if they complain about my driving I'll use it.
"Ejector seat ? You're joking"
"I never joke about my work 007"

 

I went for one of these buttons. Primarily for the performance boost!

 

Look at the screen on the original post - you'll see "Learning to Fly."

Meanwhile, I've seen The Floyd three times over the years (with and without Waters), and Roger twice, solo. All were great shows with the Meadowlands in 1994 perhaps the best. And, if David Gilmour ever goes back out, I'll be there.

But, I've written off Waters and skipped his last tour because of his stand on Ukraine. You'd think someone with his personal history would have a problem with regimes that decide they're entitled to launch invasions and grab land from other countries. He should be doing his bit to support the Ukrainian people (like PF), instead of criticizing countries that are lending help.

 

I installed one of those plug-in volt meters.
It reads 12.5V constantly, whether car is idling or driving fast.
I noticed that the OP's shows a display of 13.8V
I believe my 2021 battery is in good shape and it was fully charged one week ago.
Am I correct to assume the OP's display is shown while connecetd to a charger ?
A Google search indicates a fully charge 12V AGM should show 12.6V.

 

When the car is running, it will show 14.6 [from the alternator], but it can vary when it is not running. Since I keep it tended, it just depends on where it's at in the charging cycle. When my battery tender [NOCO Genius 1] goes green (full charge), it seems to be at 13.8 then drifts down to 12.6 where the charger will come back on. Having said that, I was a bit confused when I first bought the unit and chatted with one of the reps at NOCO and he said the the charger will shut off at 14.8 on the AGM charge setting. So, I don't know what to say other than it might be different for different cars [although I am not sure why that would be the case].

 

So, I just put regular voltmeter on the cigarette outlet. It shows a higher voltage than the plug-in voltmeter unit.
Also checked the unit against other vehicles and directly on my 12V charger.
It showed 12.5V regardless of the different voltages. measured with a regular voltmeter.
So back to Amazon and the their big product grinder!!
I like the idea but not sure whether to try another make.

 

You might want to try the one I am using [Amazon link in my original post]. There was another who posted in this thread who was using the same one with good results, as well.

 

I also use my Uniden in a volt meter reading. Have tested it and it is as accurate as my volt meter while idling and while on the move it does fluctuate as expected.