I'm still learning about my newly installed Link 10 battery monitor. I've read and reread the manual several times but can't decide about a couple of the setup parameters. Can you other Link 10 owners advise me? I think I want to set the low battery alarm so that it comes on at 50% discharge instead of the default 80%. Is that a good idea? Any disadvantages? I'd like to never run my house battery bank below 50% if possible. Similarly I think I'd like to set the "bar graph" so that it represents 50% of battery capacity, not the default 100%. Does anyone else do this? The model I bought has the external alarm circuit (which I have not yet connected) so the alarm function will be important to me. Finally I wonder if the battery temperature sensor is worth the $50 price. Does the battery temperature make an important difference in the accuracy and usefulness of the Link 10? Thanks in advance Jim Fidler "Fiddlesticks"

> > I think I want to set the low battery alarm so that it comes on at 50% > discharge instead of the default 80%. Is that a good idea? Any > disadvantages? I'd like to never run my house battery bank below 50% if > possible. I've been using the Link for a number of years. Regarding the low battery alarm, this is somewhat a function of how big your battery bank is and what your average hourly useage is. If you don't want to discharge your batteries below 50% (good idea!) then you might want to set the alarm at a level far enough above the 50% point so that you can charge at your convenience. I'd hate to have the 50% alarm go off at 2300 hrs. and be forced to decide between a couple hours charging in the middle of the night vs. pulling another 10-15% out of my batteries before morning. You might want to decide just how late at night you'd be willing to start charging and then based on your bank size and avg. useage set the alarm at a level that notifies you to charge first thing in the morning... > Similarly I think I'd like to set the "bar graph" so that it represents 50% > of battery capacity, not the default 100%. Does anyone else do this? I leave mine at the 100% level but this is a matter of personal choice - I think in terms of not letting the batteries go below 50% so I like to know when they're approaching the 50% level. > > The model I bought has the external alarm circuit (which I have not yet > connected) so the alarm function will be important to me. Depends on where the Link is located vs. where you spend your time on the boat. If it's mounted in the pilot house and you want to be able to hear it below decks then wire an external alarm... > > Finally I wonder if the battery temperature sensor is worth the $50 price. > Does the battery temperature make an important difference in the accuracy > and usefulness of the Link 10? The temp sensor is only important if your batteries are located in an area (like the engine room) where the temperature varies dramatically. If they're located in an area where temp is a function of ambient air then it's much less important - you can just set the temperature parameter seasonally. This comment may be controversial since the _optimal_ charging voltage is highly temperture dependent but if you're not charging above the 85% level then it becomes less important than if you're charging to the float stage every time. Ray B. m/v MOJO