Jaycar Ampmeter
Submitted: Friday, Jun 02, 2006 at 19:48
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Mark
Jaycar are advertising a new style of Ampmeter (QP2251) that plugs into a blade fuse holder.
http://www.jaycar.com.au/images_uploaded/Silicon_Chip_June_AU.pdf
Looks like it would be good for measuring fridge current draw etc, anyone tried one of these? just wondering how accurate they are.
Cheers
Reply By: Derek from Affordable Batteries & Radiators - Friday, Jun 02, 2006 at 21:26
Friday, Jun 02, 2006 at 21:26
Looks like a nice gadget.
May be good for a quick
test but I think the cable will cause a voltage drop and you will have fridge problems.
I would also like to read the
feedback.
Regards Derek.
AnswerID:
176451
Follow Up By: Derek from Affordable Batteries & Radiators - Friday, Jun 02, 2006 at 21:28
Friday, Jun 02, 2006 at 21:28
It was hard to open your link.
Here is the picture.
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432510
Follow Up By: Member - Mike DID - Saturday, Jun 03, 2006 at 13:27
Saturday, Jun 03, 2006 at 13:27
Here is a direct link to all the info they have
Site Link
"Auto Current Tester
This handy
test unit makes it so easy to measure currents on individual circuits. Simply plugs into any standard blade type fuse holder and provides an easy-to-read LCD display of the circuits performance. Makes it easy to find that circuit which is draining your car battery! Will measure up to 48V max, current 20A. With 400mm cable length, the whole unit weighs only 68gm. Supplied with 12V A23 type battery. Measures 86 x 37 x 28.5mm. "
Mike
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432598
Reply By: MartyB - Friday, Jun 02, 2006 at 21:32
Friday, Jun 02, 2006 at 21:32
Looks good, it would be interesting to see how accurate they are.
I very much doubt the cable would cause a voltage drop, assuming it has a shunt built into the fuse connector.
Marty.
AnswerID:
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Follow Up By: Kiwi Kia - Friday, Jun 02, 2006 at 21:51
Friday, Jun 02, 2006 at 21:51
i agree, it must be a shunt with that size cable so should work
well.
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Reply By: Member - Robert (WA) - Friday, Jun 02, 2006 at 21:39
Friday, Jun 02, 2006 at 21:39
I bought one and it works fine good for cheacking what is drawing power when ecery thing is turned of
Robert
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Follow Up By: agsmky - Friday, Jun 02, 2006 at 22:04
Friday, Jun 02, 2006 at 22:04
LOL......
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Follow Up By: Geoff (Newcastle, NSW) - Friday, Jun 02, 2006 at 23:20
Friday, Jun 02, 2006 at 23:20
Umm, correct me if my years of electrical engineering experience has failed me but, "good for cheacking what is drawing power when ecery thing is turned of" wouldn't everything being turned off result in no power being drawn?
Geoff.
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Follow Up By: agsmky - Saturday, Jun 03, 2006 at 08:20
Saturday, Jun 03, 2006 at 08:20
exactly :-)
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Follow Up By: Member - Robert (WA) - Saturday, Jun 03, 2006 at 08:46
Saturday, Jun 03, 2006 at 08:46
was a silly thing to say
Robert
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Follow Up By: Mark - Saturday, Jun 03, 2006 at 09:28
Saturday, Jun 03, 2006 at 09:28
I think Robert is refering to fault conditions, ie everything is turned off but something in the circuit is still drawing power & therefore draining battery.
Got a huge water bill once with 80,000 litres more than what it should have been, turned everything "off" & meter was still going round, huh! starting digging up service pipe & bingo! small hole in high pressure pipe.
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Follow Up By: Member - Mike DID - Saturday, Jun 03, 2006 at 13:14
Saturday, Jun 03, 2006 at 13:14
Even when you switch off everything in the car that CAN be turned off, there are still things that are drawing current.
Mike
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Reply By: AdrianLR (VIC) - Friday, Jun 02, 2006 at 22:33
Friday, Jun 02, 2006 at 22:33
Looked at one in the
shop. In fine print the instructions (or on the back - I don't remember) said that it should not be used for longer than 10 sec. So unfortunately you couldn't leave it plugged in. Didn't but one.
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Follow Up By: V8 Troopie - Friday, Jun 02, 2006 at 23:03
Friday, Jun 02, 2006 at 23:03
that would make sense, you really would not want a fuse replaced by something that did not act like a fuse. Its a current tester with a digital readout.
Klaus
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Follow Up By: Member - Mike DID - Saturday, Jun 03, 2006 at 13:21
Saturday, Jun 03, 2006 at 13:21
I assume the projection out of the side of the probe is a Fuse Holder.
Mike
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Reply By: Mad Dog (Australia) - Saturday, Jun 03, 2006 at 08:56
Saturday, Jun 03, 2006 at 08:56
I recommend the clamp meter from Dick Smith, measure the current anywhere without pulling fuses or breaking the wire, costs a fair bit more though.
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Follow Up By: revhead307 - Saturday, Jun 03, 2006 at 09:05
Saturday, Jun 03, 2006 at 09:05
I just bought a clampmeter off a retiring mechanic, seems a pretty good one and i got it for $20 (garage sale)
have yet to try it out.
Rev
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Follow Up By: Mad Dog (Australia) - Saturday, Jun 03, 2006 at 09:16
Saturday, Jun 03, 2006 at 09:16
DC ?
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Follow Up By: agsmky - Saturday, Jun 03, 2006 at 09:34
Saturday, Jun 03, 2006 at 09:34
Yep....
Site Link
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Follow Up By: revhead307 - Saturday, Jun 03, 2006 at 13:11
Saturday, Jun 03, 2006 at 13:11
From switching the dial around, its AC and DC as its displayed on the screen. the only info on it is 1000ACA Wattmaster DCM20, .
Quite large 25cm x 8cm....is an industrial size thingy...and the fact it was used by the mechanic cant make it too bad. Just wish i had some instructions.
Rev
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Follow Up By: Member - Mike DID - Saturday, Jun 03, 2006 at 13:19
Saturday, Jun 03, 2006 at 13:19
Jaycar sell a Clampmeter for $100 that will read up to 200 amps on DC and AC.
Site Link
Excellent for monitor Alternator, Battery and load currents without having to open any wiring.
Mike
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Reply By: Muzzgit (WA) - Sunday, Jun 04, 2006 at 00:10
Sunday, Jun 04, 2006 at 00:10
Only problem is everything that I have added to the car for 12 power has circuit breakers, not a blade fuse. No good to me.
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Follow Up By: Muzzgit (WA) - Sunday, Jun 04, 2006 at 00:11
Sunday, Jun 04, 2006 at 00:11
P.S is it just me, or does anyone else find their website awkward to negotiate ?
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