John Exactly what I was looking for. Simple solution. Thanks so much for the Voltage / Percentage information on battery charge. I'll start looking for a good voltmeter to add to the electical panel. Here's another question I've had since looking the boat over- I noticed something that just doesn't look right to me but looks as if it was an original build on my 1999 17'. The compression post in the cabin is centered underneath the mast, comes down to the forward berth and attaches three inches aft of where it seems it should be. If I open up the storage lid, where the battery and portapotti are stored, there is another post from the hull to the underside of the berth. This lower support beam and the compression post don't vertically line up! Are all the 17s built this way?? Guessing it may be off center for one reason or another. I can add pictures if it helps to visualize this........ I'm trying to solve as many projects that come with this boat so I can get as much fun sailing time as possible in the spring / summer instead of working and fixing ! ! Stay warm everybody. George J. Caldwell TX Montgomery 17 #600