Aux Battery Voltage Meter
Submitted: Saturday, Nov 20, 2004 at 17:43
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Matt (W.A.)
I Just picked up a Aux Battery Voltage Meter from Jaycar and I want to hard Wire it in to the Aux Battery rather than use the Cigarette (I mean Accessory Socket!) can some one tell me which wire is the Positive and which is the Negative as I don’t have a Multi-Meter, one wire has a White Stripe on it and the other is completely Black? Thanks in advance
Reply By: Solarpower - Saturday, Nov 20, 2004 at 17:58
Saturday, Nov 20, 2004 at 17:58
The wire with the white stripe would be the positive.
They are a great unit and have used them since Jaycar started bringing them in around two years ago. I use the external sensor in my fridge. The electronic blue light gives off a good glow at night and is enough to see our way around the campervan. On a number of units I have tested, the volt meter has been accurate to within .03 volt which is great.
AnswerID:
85166
Follow Up By: joc45 - Tuesday, Nov 23, 2004 at 00:14
Tuesday, Nov 23, 2004 at 00:14
Yeh, they're not bad for voltage accuracy.
The blue light does draw a little bit, but I recall last time I measured the current, it was about 20mA, which would be a continuous draw from the aux battery, but this is not an issue if the vehicle is driven once a month. ie, 20mA = 50 hours to use just one amp hour from the battery. If at all worried, connect a 3-way switch, using one leg each for main and aux battery, with off in the middle to isolate the meter if desired.
Gerry
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Reply By: vanaway - Saturday, Nov 20, 2004 at 18:01
Saturday, Nov 20, 2004 at 18:01
I bought the same unit 6 months ago and hardwired into our van. A great little unit. Problem is I can't remember polarity - but I THINK black -ve white stripe +ve.
Just tried to find the plug I cut off, For once I must have been tidy and tossed it as useless.
Easy way to check is to open up the cigarette lighter plug. Wire to the centre pin is +ve wire to the side contact -ve.
Another is to use a multimetre (or small battery plus bulb) cut wires a bit short of plug, and see which wire is connected to centre pin
hope this helps.
AnswerID:
85167
Reply By: Mad Dog (Victoria) - Saturday, Nov 20, 2004 at 18:49
Saturday, Nov 20, 2004 at 18:49
yep the white stripe is positive.
AnswerID:
85169
Reply By: Matt (W.A.) - Saturday, Nov 20, 2004 at 20:50
Saturday, Nov 20, 2004 at 20:50
Thanks Peoples will cut and Hard Wire Tomorrow.
Cheers
AnswerID:
85179
Reply By: porlsprado - Saturday, Nov 20, 2004 at 20:52
Saturday, Nov 20, 2004 at 20:52
Even better i think, in all cases (but for safety never assume) everywhere (me home hobbyist but haven't blown anything up yet) the plain dark colour is always the -ve IF the other is dual
bright colour.
AnswerID:
85180
Reply By: Member - Collyn R (WA) - Sunday, Nov 21, 2004 at 11:06
Sunday, Nov 21, 2004 at 11:06
Be careful with this one!
Many caravan builders (particularly Jayco) use black as Positive, and white as Negative. Seems lunacy to me.
Collyn Rivers
AnswerID:
85239
Follow Up By: Mad Dog (Victoria) - Sunday, Nov 21, 2004 at 11:26
Sunday, Nov 21, 2004 at 11:26
Tis a trap for the unweary. Many years ago while studying for my Ham ticket my first purchase was a multimeter...absoutely invaluable and at the price of a cheap one there's really no excuse.
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Follow Up By: Member - Collyn R (WA) - Sunday, Nov 21, 2004 at 14:08
Sunday, Nov 21, 2004 at 14:08
Ray
You're not wrong!
Collyn
My wife (Maarit) admires your HiLux. She has one too but has forgotten what colour it was. I think there's some white down there somewhere though! Must clean it this year.
Collyn
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343827