how to use a volt meter
- Thread starter howler
- Start date
Moe
New member
VDC(10)
To check the "strength" of your battery, you will have to measure the volts by using the VDC setting. DC stands for direct current which typically comes from things such as a battery source (in your case). Your range will be set to 10.
AC stands for alternating currect and is what you would use on things such as a wall outlet.
The mA DC setting is to measure the current in a direct current source(mA=milli-amps).
To check the "strength" of your battery, you will have to measure the volts by using the VDC setting. DC stands for direct current which typically comes from things such as a battery source (in your case). Your range will be set to 10.
AC stands for alternating currect and is what you would use on things such as a wall outlet.
The mA DC setting is to measure the current in a direct current source(mA=milli-amps).
Charliebee
New member
However, just setting the voltmeter on the 10 VDC scale and touching a lead to each end of the battery will not tell you much. That is the open circuit voltage, not the loaded voltage. You need to be able to read across the battery when it is under load - for instance in the device while it is turned on. You will read something less than 1.5 VDC from a battery under load. By the way, if the needle pegs to the left, then you need to reverse the leads.
Moe
New member
Quote:
However, just setting the voltmeter on the 10 VDC scale and touching a lead to each end of the battery will not tell you much.
Are you saying that if the battery is nearly drained, testing it while not under load won't tell you much??? /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused.gif
However, just setting the voltmeter on the 10 VDC scale and touching a lead to each end of the battery will not tell you much.
Are you saying that if the battery is nearly drained, testing it while not under load won't tell you much??? /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused.gif
berettaman
New member
I test all batteries with a Fluke DMM and don't go out with nearly depleated batteries.
howler
New member
now I am confused. I just want to know if the batt is good or not. shall I test in the unit while turned on ??? Can I test each individual AA batt for charge or do I have to test the whole bank, I also want to test the 9 volt that is in the remote I can test this under load fairly easy but the 8 AA bats that are in the unit can I just touch the leads to each end of the batt while it is still in the batt holder and turned on???????
Moe
New member
Quote:
I just want to know if the batt is good or not.
I thought so...like I said earlier in my first post:
Measuring DC batteries.
I just want to know if the batt is good or not.
I thought so...like I said earlier in my first post:
Measuring DC batteries.
Wingman26
New member
Quote:
Quote:
However, just setting the voltmeter on the 10 VDC scale and touching a lead to each end of the battery will not tell you much.
Are you saying that if the battery is nearly drained, testing it while not under load won't tell you much??? /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused.gif
The only way to test a battery that tells you anything, is to test it under load, a person attaching a voltmeter to a battery is essentially wasting their time. A battery can indicate near rated voltage under no load, but with a load can drop to voltages that are unusable. If you take a car battery to an auto parts store for testing, they will put it on a load to test it, it's the same thing with small batteries.
The proper way is with a dedicated battery tester, the loads in the battery tester are appropriate to the type of battery being tested.
This is a proper battery tester for small household batteries:
http://www.radioshack.com/product/index....rentPage=search
I've tried one of these for checking photo batteries, I bought one because of the small size so I could carry it with me in the camera bag, don't waste your money on this one:
http://www.radioshack.com/product/index....rentPage=search
Quote:
However, just setting the voltmeter on the 10 VDC scale and touching a lead to each end of the battery will not tell you much.
Are you saying that if the battery is nearly drained, testing it while not under load won't tell you much??? /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused.gif
The only way to test a battery that tells you anything, is to test it under load, a person attaching a voltmeter to a battery is essentially wasting their time. A battery can indicate near rated voltage under no load, but with a load can drop to voltages that are unusable. If you take a car battery to an auto parts store for testing, they will put it on a load to test it, it's the same thing with small batteries.
The proper way is with a dedicated battery tester, the loads in the battery tester are appropriate to the type of battery being tested.
This is a proper battery tester for small household batteries:
http://www.radioshack.com/product/index....rentPage=search
I've tried one of these for checking photo batteries, I bought one because of the small size so I could carry it with me in the camera bag, don't waste your money on this one:
http://www.radioshack.com/product/index....rentPage=search