Question about adding voltage display

[basementcat]

So I'm working on a vari volt mod for someone and wanting to incorporate a voltage display. I know I can wire it at the same point of the atty to get it to show the voltage but then it would come on every single button press. Now it shouldn't be an issue as these things don't use much juice to operate but I am wondering if theres some better way? Thanx for any info you can provide.

 

[CraigHB]

There is, but not anything simple. One guy did a mod with a Camel box (very nice) and put the display inside. That way, it was hidden until needed. The other thing you could do is add a switch that enables and disables power to the voltage monitor. Well, that's the simple solutions I can think of off-hand.

 

[basementcat]

There is, but not anything simple. One guy did a mod with a Camel box (very nice) and put the display inside. That way, it was hidden until needed. The other thing you could do is add a switch that enables and disables power to the voltage monitor. Well, that's the simple solutions I can think of off-hand.

Yeah the owner would like it visible outside so I'm guessing a small switch will be added inside. Figured there wasn't a super simple solution. Oh well. $1-2 at rat shack is my fix I guess. Thanx!

 

[squirrel64]

I installed a small jack wired inline and just plug the meter in when needed. But not as handy as inside the mod

 

[basementcat]

View attachment 43784

I installed a small jack wired inline and just plug the meter in when needed. But not as handy as inside the mod

Nice work! Never thought of adding a 2 pin connector. Good job!

 

[CraigHB]

[I installed a small jack wired inline and just plug the meter in when needed. But not as handy as inside the mod

That's ingenious. Sometimes the best solutions are the most simple ones, so simple, you don't always think of them.

 

[Para]

Yeah the owner would like it visible outside so I'm guessing a small switch will be added inside. Figured there wasn't a super simple solution. Oh well. $1-2 at rat shack is my fix I guess. Thanx!

A switch for when it's installed or a screw-on.....that's what has worked for me.

 

[retird]

Another solution could be using a 3 position switch, where you could switch the power between the atty and the VV display, thus you could fire the atty without the display, or fire the display without the atty being powered....

 

[bstedh]

View attachment 43784

I installed a small jack wired inline and just plug the meter in when needed. But not as handy as inside the mod

I did something similar by just drilling two holes small enough that my MM leads just fit in so that I can just stick them in and get a reading with my standard MM off of the battery negative and a connection point at the positive. Kinda like circuit board test points. Nice and discreet without adding a bunch of stuff to the build. I did it this way mainly because I use the experience meter instead of the voltmeter to determine if it needs to be adjusted =]

 

[basementcat]

Thanx all. Wonderful ideas!

 

[asdaq]

A small micro switch in front of the meter is enough as there won't be a lot of current to the meter. I mean I'm front of the meter as in the circuit. Clever would be mounting the switch physically behind the meter so you press the display to get a reading. Just an idea.

sent from my HTC genisis using Tapatalk

 

[NicksVap3]

Clever would be mounting the switch physically behind the meter so you press the display to get a reading.

thats a pretty slick idea

 

[nicotime]

I am going to try this...a dual action tact switch...press down to first contact to fire the atty...press all the way down when you want to get the reading to the meter also.
EG4412CT-ND
Digi-Key - EG4412CT-ND (Manufacturer - TL3350BF100Q)

the PDF..

http://www.e-switch.com/Portals/0/Series_Pdf/TL3350.pdf

 

[CraigHB]

That's a really cool switch, the only down side is it has 10k cycle life, a little low for something that gets pushed hundreds of times a day.

 

[nicotime]

That's a really cool switch, the only down side is it has 10k cycle life, a little low for something that gets pushed hundreds of times a day.

Yeah probably something better out there...just an example...like on cameras where you push a little to focus then more to take the pic. Not sure how it would affect a mosfet either...just throwing it out there! Thanks Craig!

Edit: Hmmm...highest one I found by a quick look see is 30,000Cycles...oh well.

 

[basementcat]

All great ideas guys! thanx much!

 

[CraigHB]

Hmmm...highest one I found by a quick look see is 30,000Cycles...oh well.

The high cycle life you need for the switch on a mod does limit your choices quite a bit. Even so, you can never design something electronic to last forever. Even a 200,000 cycle switch is probably only good for a couple years of exclusive daily use. Though, the ratings are minimum lifetime. Likely, the switch will last much longer than specified.