When Alternator is spoilt, what will be affected?

[Kb27]

 

Talking about voltmeter, i remember an after market plug-in gadget which show the state of charging etc (plug into cig lighter socket), have you used this instead of a proper voltmeter before, is it good?

 

I have a couple of these, one was wired into the car. So far, it's working good.

I think the other one reading went off a bit. I didn't check the accuracy, but lost it.

[Ivanpaseo]

 

I have a couple of these, one was wired into the car. So far, it's working good.

I think the other one reading went off a bit. I didn't check the accuracy, but lost it.

 

 

 

 

Using this in my car also permanently wired it to the battery so always can see the battery voltage when charging or not charging. Ebay selling for less than 3 bucks..... no need expensive volt meter...

Edited July 3, 2014 by Ivanpaseo

[Acemundo]

 

 

Using this in my car also permanently wired it to the battery so always can see the battery voltage when charging or not charging. Ebay selling for less than 3 bucks..... no need expensive volt meter...

 

brother can share the ebay link?

[TVT]

 

I have a couple of these, one was wired into the car. So far, it's working good.

I think the other one reading went off a bit. I didn't check the accuracy, but lost it.

 

But is it safe to wire this device direct to the battery ?

 

And put it in the bonnet too, on-top of the battery will it spoil easily due to the heat from the engine ?

 

[Kb27]

 

But is it safe to wire this device direct to the battery ?

 

And put it in the bonnet too, on-top of the battery will it spoil easily due to the heat from the engine ?

 

 

I didn't wire it directly to battery. It wouldn't be useful there.

 

I put it inside, since my van has some rectangular slots for switches, the size is about right to plug in with some friction tape, it stays in place. Search ebay for the size, and find a suitable place where you want to mount it.

 

I wire it to the "ignition" wire, so it lights up only when the key is on.

 

You can then see the battery voltage, around 12.x V

 

After you crank start the engine, it should then display the alternator voltage, around 14V.

 

This kind of voltmeter comes with 3 wires - positive, ground and measure.

You can short the measure and positive wire together, so you only have 2 wires to hook up or you can separate them depending on what you want to do.

 

brother can share the ebay link?

 

Many places to get

http://www.ebay.com/sch/Amp-Voltmeters-/25411/i.html

 

ebay, dx, aliexpress

[Acemundo]

 

I didn't wire it directly to battery. It wouldn't be useful there.

 

I put it inside, since my van has some rectangular slots for switches, the size is about right to plug in with some friction tape, it stays in place. Search ebay for the size, and find a suitable place where you want to mount it.

 

I wire it to the "ignition" wire, so it lights up only when the key is on.

 

You can then see the battery voltage, around 12.x V

 

After you crank start the engine, it should then display the alternator voltage, around 14V.

 

This kind of voltmeter comes with 3 wires - positive, ground and measure.

You can short the measure and positive wire together, so you only have 2 wires to hook up or you can separate them depending on what you want to do.

 

Many places to get

http://www.ebay.com/sch/Amp-Voltmeters-/25411/i.html

 

ebay, dx, aliexpress

 

thanks does those scantools or diagnostic tools also measure battery voltage at crank and without crank? I actually got a scan tool.......if it works the same I will not get the voltmeter

[Kb27]

 

thanks does those scantools or diagnostic tools also measure battery voltage at crank and without crank? I actually got a scan tool.......if it works the same I will not get the voltmeter

 

You got to plug in and try.

 

Scantools read the voltage digitally spit out by the ECU and not directly reading from the battery.

 

Most scantools that plug into the OBDII connector is also draining current from the battery when ignition switch is off.

So that's another minor concern.

[Acemundo]

 

You got to plug in and try.

 

Scantools read the voltage digitally spit out by the ECU and not directly reading from the battery.

 

Most scantools that plug into the OBDII connector is also draining current from the battery when ignition switch is off.

So that's another minor concern.

ok, I only plug in the scan tool when I am am going to use it.

 

anyhow, I was reading your description earlier about the switch being plug to the ignition wire. is there a writeup anywhere on how to do it? like to go this route if it is not too cumbersome.

[Super7]

 

I have a couple of these, one was wired into the car. So far, it's working good.

I think the other one reading went off a bit. I didn't check the accuracy, but lost it.

 

Thanks.

 

Edited July 3, 2014 by Super7

[Kb27]

ok, I only plug in the scan tool when I am am going to use it.

 

anyhow, I was reading your description earlier about the switch being plug to the ignition wire. is there a writeup anywhere on how to do it? like to go this route if it is not too cumbersome.

 

"Ignition" means a positive wire which will turn "hot" or have 12V once the key switch is either in the ON or Acc position.

If it's in OFF position, the 12V is not there.

 

Usually, those accessory shops who fixed meters, alarms or such, look for one of the fuse inside the fuse box and tap the wire there by twisting it on the fuse. This method although it works, but sometimes the wire can come loose.

 

Other method is to splice into one such 12V wire, although you would need to find out which one, either twist or solder and tape up.

 

If you use tape, use a better one like 3M which doesn't lose its stickiness over time and starts to unravel.

Avoid using the cheap $1 type of electrical tape.

[Kb27]

I just insert the voltmeter into a free slot.

 

 

Edited July 3, 2014 by Kb27

[Pisces69]

 

Talking about voltmeter, i remember an after market plug-in gadget which show the state of charging etc (plug into cig lighter socket), have you used this instead of a proper voltmeter before, is it good?

 

 

I have a plug into ciggy lighter socket type. It has a red yellow n green light. Gives me an indication on the state of charging.

 

These can also b used to test the state of the battery. U just switch on heaqdlights for a few minutes with engine off n if the red warning light comes on means yr battery is not in good shape.

[Pisces69]

 

You got to plug in and try.

 

Scantools read the voltage digitally spit out by the ECU and not directly reading from the battery.

 

Most scantools that plug into the OBDII connector is also draining current from the battery when ignition switch is off.

So that's another minor concern.

 

I wud think to connect the red n black wires to the wires to the ciggy lighter socket so it comes on as soon as u turn the key "ON".

[Super7]

 

 

I have a plug into ciggy lighter socket type. It has a red yellow n green light. Gives me an indication on the state of charging.

 

These can also b used to test the state of the battery. U just switch on heaqdlights for a few minutes with engine off n if the red warning light comes on means yr battery is not in good shape.

 

Ok, i will go get one and plug it into the cig lighter socket !

[Pisces69]

 

Ok, i will go get one and plug it into the cig lighter socket !

 

 

Ya I find these type the easiest to use. Just plug into socket n throw away or remove when not in use/spoil.

 

Only costs a few bucks at most auto accessories shop.

 

Mine shows the charging n has 2 sockets to plug in 2 more accessories cos I use 1 for an ionioser n the other for my GPS.

[Ivanpaseo]

 

brother can share the ebay link?

there u go

 

http://m.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_nkw=volt+meter&_pgn=1&LH_ItemCondition=0&LH_BIN=1&LH_FS=1&LH_PrefLoc=0&_sop=15

[TVT]

 

 

I have a plug into ciggy lighter socket type. It has a red yellow n green light. Gives me an indication on the state of charging.

 

These can also b used to test the state of the battery. U just switch on heaqdlights for a few minutes with engine off n if the red warning light comes on means yr battery is not in good shape.

 

So its a red, yellow and green light indicator device.

 

But yellow light indicates what ?

 

Mine shows the charging n has 2 sockets to plug in 2 more accessories cos I use 1 for an ionioser n the other for my GPS.

 

You using those split socket plugs.....?

 

But run so many devices at one time will it blow the main 12V socket in the car a not ?

 

[Johnnylim]

 

 

How abt this?