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elbino

Hi everybody,
Like Helenb I would love to know where to get a gizmo that plugs into the 12v socket and gives a readout of the battery condition. The C&C Club had one on offer a few months back but sold out by the time I got round to it. Or is it more efficient to use a multimeter?
paul

Phil905

Hi Paul, in my opinion a Digital Multimeter will be much better because it can be used for many other things as well as checking your batteries. Maplins sell quite a nice general purpose one for just under £10. Once you get used to it you'll be surprised at how useful it is.
Phil.

HelenB · Moderator

Can you do any damage with one ? Not that I want too, but am a bit reluctant to start sticking probes into sockets when I have no idea what I am doing Confused

Phil905

Hi Helen, if you are measuring mains voltage then you should be very very careful not to touch the metal part of the probe with your fingers, the plastic parts are well insulated and normally are safe up to at least 1000 volts.
I have made up a short lead with 2 plugs at one end of the type that will fit into the multimeter terminals, I think they are called banana plugs, ( again available in almost any electrical shop or Maplins of course ). At the other end I've fitted a 12v 2 pin plug to match the socket fitted in the van. When I want to check the battery voltage on or off charge I just plug it in.
If you don't have such a socket then you need to prod the terminals of whichever battery you want to measure with the supplied leads. Note that the multimeter must be switched to Volts DC on a range greater than 12v, usually 20v. On mains of course the meter needs to be set to AC Volts with the range set greater than 240v, usually 250v or 300v.
I hope this helps.
Phil.

smifee

hi elbino

how detailed do you want the information to be Question

if you are happy with red = flat, amber = low & green = OK then send me a PM. i have one that i bought in portugal but now use a multimeter so don't want it anymore.

Cowly

Hi stephen!

Most radio's have 2 x supplies, 1 supply from the live side of the ignition switch, commonly direct from the fuse box, and 1 from the load side of the ignition switch, the supply off the ignition is to run the radio, turn off the ignition and the radio will go off, however lots of radios have a timeout facility, this will allow you to run the radio for a pre-set duration after switching off the ignition, and this is where the other supply is used, some MHs as mine (Fiat Ducato 14. 2000 model) both supplies came from the load side of the ignition switch, ignition off = radio off, now changed,,

so if you turn on the ignition, but do not start the engine, if radio works it is from the engine battery.

so if you turn on the ignition, and no radio, then start the engine and radio works the radio supply is from the leisure battery, assuming leisure battery is not connected, please remember when you have the leisure battery disconnected the battery clamps on the end of the cables will become "LIVE" when you run the engine, it is best to disconnect the leisure NEG terminal first, but make the terminals "SAFE" also check your charger is "OFF"

Twisted Evil

remember "NEVER" disconnect the engine battery when the engine is running, Twisted Evil

As always there are exceptions to the rule==( my get out clause before someone shoots me down in flames Cool

)

All the best

Colin R......

elbino

hi Phil/Smifee
I have a battery condition display on the van control panel but only a red/green/yellow variety which does not give any real information. My multimeter must be 20 years old and whilst fine for circuit testing/fault finding may not be capable of voltage readouts. Perhaps I'll go and see the man in Maplins and invest in a better one!
paul

jamiemilly

Thanks for all the advice. I have followed some of the suggestions for checking the batteries and I am hopeful that I have not completely hammered them! Will find out over the next few weeks on our scottish trip - I will report back when I get back!

Stephen Confused