Cheap Voltage Meter

SmartAlecLights

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We all Know about Voltage Drop, But do we always take out the Multi-Meter to check?

Well with this simple $2.50 part off ebay, you can make your own lead an check.
  • About to power inject
    Check each side of the plug to make sure the Voltages are Correct, (The Easy Way)
  • Easy to make, only 3 parts ,mini voltmeter, Rays Plugs, Solder, Heatshrink (3mm black, 6mm white, 16mm clear)
  • Did'nt blow up when Power was Reversed (In my tests :D )
  • Can use one at power supply end, an another one at the last pixel (See real Voltage drop)
  • Apparently there 3v to 30v range (depending on the colour/model)
13346450_1194102123934852_5906460763416760604_n.jpg

13327483_1194102130601518_154836290167136909_n.jpg


Red - http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/131000844123?_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT
Green - http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/130981177973?_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT
Blue - http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/141049350659?tfrom=130981177973&tpos=unknow&ttype=price&talgo=origal

Ive only tryed the Green So far
 

Boof63

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Nov 7, 2011
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Kadina
thanks , great idea, have ordered two,
so i can see start and end votages for the longer runs
cheers Boof63
 

SmartAlecLights

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Ive also been thinking of making another but with rays 3 pin plugs.. (as thats what i use for strips etc)
so i will be able to check them out for voltage drops as well.. (between strips)
There defiantly something to have.
 

SmartAlecLights

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Fasteddy said:

Eddy doing current meters with rays plugs might not be a great idea.
(but it would be great when designing elements to know there current draw)
Since Rays plugs have been tested around the 5-6amp range.

Ps. Thanks for the image it makes things allot clearer
 

fasteddy

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smartalec said:
Fasteddy said:

Eddy doing current meters with rays plugs might not be a great idea.
(but it would be great when designing elements to know there current draw)
Since Rays plugs have been tested around the 5-6amp range.

Ps. Thanks for the image it makes things allot clearer

Why wouldn't it be a good idea. Using it for getting the true value current for each output will help people plan their loads better. The unit is rated at 10 amps and Rays plugs will do 5 to 6 amps, so for that purpose I think its a cheap and easy way to make a combined portable volt and current meter that just plugs in line for testing purposes.
 

scamper

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collie
tooms said:
I just ordered some of these as I want to measure current coming out the power supply, and 10amp probably wouldnt be big enough so they need a shunt;


http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/311353383286


I just bought some for this purpose and am looking at putting one on each line that comes out, So with a 30amp power supply, I will have 3 meters, It may seem to be a bit of overkill, but at least when I decide to add an extra element, i can look at which power supply i can run another lead from without having to look back at diagrams and start working out which light goes where etc. And besides, I don't know of too many people that run 30amp cables from their power supplies.
 
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