$5.50 voltmeter with load checker.

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Scubabatdan

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Scubabatdan

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Dan,

That is too cool....You know I will have to get the Blue one. Thanks.

Just a FYI....I removed the 7 pin connector on the meter and just soldered to pin 1 and 2 on the other side. This lets it lay flat on the cover.

Already ahead of you, Introducing the pill fob load checker :)
I have to remove all the pins and ground a little off the side of the board and then I soldered the wires directly to the LED PCB. I then took a pill fob and milled the area I needed removed for the LED and filed the corners.
A quick drill at 1/4" on bottom and and a little soldering to the connecters and pressed both connectors in.
I opted for no side switch as I can always screw and unscrew the atty for load and unloaded test. I use a RS 4.5vdc 1600ma power supply, I suprised to see 4.7 unloaded and 3.9 loaded, that is a .8vdc drop.

Here is the walkthrough:
Dan
 

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bigblue30

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Already ahead of you, Introducing the pill fob load checker :)
I have to remove all the pins and grind a little off the side of the board and then soldered directly to the LED PCB. I then took a pill fob and milled the area I needed removed for the LED and filed the corners.
A quick drill at 1/4" on bottom and and a little soldering to the connecters and pressed both connectors in.
I opted for no side switch as I can always screw and unscrew the atty for load and unloaded test. I use a RS 4.5vdc 1600ma power supply, I suprised to see 4.7 unloaded and 3.9 loaded, that is a .8vdc drop.

Here is the walkthrough:
Dan

As I have said before....You are an artist. Very nice job.

That .8 just shows that most 5 volt PT's using wall warts are not really at 5 volts.
 
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Scubabatdan

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Is I have said before....You are an artist. Very nice job.

That .8 just shows that most 5 volt PT's using wall warts are not really at 5 volts.

Well check this out, Same PT and Atty but off my computers USB port, first is unloaded and the second is loaded that is a 1.2vdc drop. Now this makes me want to check my cars CD to DC converter :) It is a 4.5vdc at 2500ma.
Dan
 

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SurvivorMcGyver

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Glad to see an "awareness" with this finding. -- I see this A LOT and people scoff at my findings..... Hummmmpf . The proof is in the pudding... thanks for bringing it to light in a tactfull manner. BTW... nice fob :) looking at doing that with an adjustible regulator intact (of course you probably have THAT in the works as well {chuckling} -- High five my friend

Well check this out, Same PT and Atty but off my computers USB port, first is unloaded and the second is loaded that is a 1.2vdc drop. Now this makes me want to check my cars CD to DC converter :) It is a 4.5vdc at 2500ma.
Dan
 
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duby

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Man, it looks like everyone got some of these in the same 2 weeks. Mine came in over a week ago and I just haven't had the time.

Has anyone else noticed issues with these in a 2S configuration? I'm getting a pretty big error in reading, 0.8V or so on the total voltage when I try.
Might have a bad one, will soldier leads to another and give it a shot tommorrow.
 

bigblue30

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Man, it looks like everyone got some of these in the same 2 weeks. Mine came in over a week ago and I just haven't had the time.

Has anyone else noticed issues with these in a 2S configuration? I'm getting a pretty big error in reading, 0.8V or so on the total voltage when I try.
Might have a bad one, will soldier leads to another and give it a shot tommorrow.

Just did a check
Batt #1. With amprobe meter = 4.23 with LED in S1 4.22
Batt #2 With amprobe meter = 4.21 with LED in S1 4.20

Batt in series:
With amprobe = 8.5 with LED in S1 = 8.4 in S2 #1 4.21 #2 4.21 both 8.4

I looks like this LED is .1 off.
 
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bigblue30

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For those of us without the skills to build one can these be purchased anywhere?

Elendil,

I made the decision a few months ago not to become a vendor. Although I have send a few e-mails to admins asking if "trades" were allow...I have not got an answer to that question.

So for now you will have to wait until someone tools up and uses the idea......like....:
JOKER-DVM
 

Elendil

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Elendil,

I made the decision a few months ago not to become a vendor. Although I have send a few e-mails to admins asking if "trades" were allow...I have not got an answer to that question.

So for now you will have to wait until someone tools up and uses the idea......like....:
JOKER-DVM


I don't think you contacted me (At least as far as I remember :p), but I sent you a PM with some clarification............
 

bigblue30

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Just ordered these~ https://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.10787
Dirt chip with free shipping.

I guess ill be modding this into a decent looking box with i get it.

Do take note that the above site is not for victims of "Iwanttomodeverythingisee" syndrome. Its dangerous.

Madshock,

Those look like the S2 version. like these.
RC helicopter Lipo battery portable Voltage meter alarm - eBay (item 400148910318 end time Aug-30-10 14:25:46 PDT)

Used for 2S-6S(7.4V~22.2V)Li-Po Battery

That means that they need at lease 2 batteries to work. They will not work for a signal output voltage....like a mod output. They need to be S1 for that.

They will work to tell you what the voltage is of the 2 batteries in your mod.
 

bigblue30

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Thanks Bigblue for pointing that out.. shouldnt have bought that..

Luckily i can cancel my order from DX. Just waiting for refund approval!

Glad I could help. When I put in my first order for these meters I ordered both kinds...So now I have 2 of the S2 meters.
 

Scubabatdan

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Glad I could help. When I put in my first order for these meters I ordered both kinds...So now I have 2 of the S2 meters.

LOL I have one of each, and you are right the 2s only measure 2 batts minimum, thought I was going crazy when I first hooked it up LOL
Dan
 
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