Had an itch to kill two birds at same time

Geo-TH,In

Well-known Member
I wasn't going to spend big bucks on a large DC ammeter. Then I researched carbon load testers. HF had one for $50, with 20% off , out the door $42.80.

Plan to move the positive wire to bypass carbon pile and only DC ammeter when I only want to measure amps.

Where the negative clamp is you will see the copper shunt for the ammeter.

BTW, I now have another way to test batteries.

Also plan to measure current used by dump trailer. Be interesting to see how close it comes to my estimated current.
George
a153860.jpg
 
If you customize the amp meter, make sure you are using its shunt. All you need is a 500 amp capable knife switch to cut the resistors out of the circuit. Jim
 
I shunt make a mistake. All I have to do is move positive wire like in pic, then I have just an ammeter. Better than buying shunts.

As I pointed out, the copper device on right on first pic is the shunt.

Easy to do. Now I have a multi meter.
a153875.jpg
 
That shoudl work, but for about $35 you can get clamp on DC amp meters that are pretty accurate and only need to be clamped around the lead, no disconnecting. I have been using one for several years that reads up to 400 amps.
 
I have had one of those HF testers now for around 10 years, very good unit for the money.
You should not have to do any modification to the tester to use it as an inline ammeter, just back the carbon pile knob totally loose and hook the clamps in series with the load. it will read both volts and amps load that way. You can much increase the life of the carbon pile screw threads by applying a drop of heavy oil on the screw behind the knob, then lay it on it's back for a bit so the oil runs into the thread nut.
 
Nope my mistake. on second thought, your right about having to bypass the carbon pile. Do lubricate that screw thread though.
 
I couldn't find one that cheap. Another $5 I also have a carbon load tester
everyone claims are great. Now I have two tools in one.
 
Hello john*.?-!.*,

I pointed him on the clamp meter like yours, cheaper then the load tester. I have learned he is an
extremely hard sell!!!
Maybe he will get curious and use it as a load tester. Then he will throw away is transistorized lying
gizmo. We can only hope!

Guido.
 
Guido,
You can bet your last buck, If the carbon load tester proves my conductivity tester wrong, I WILL POST IT.

How many batteries can you test with a carbon tester without letting it cool off? No limit to the number of batteries you can test with my conductivity tester.

I bought this tester to do two things. The clamp on meter can only do one thing. The cheapie clamp-ons I found were shipped on a slow boat from China and I've had some bad luck buying form ebay on items shipped form China. Amazon will at least work with you.

I want to see how this meters compares to my estimated current on dump trailer. Using the clamp on ends of carbon tester will work perfectly.
geo
 
Guido,
I don't look at it the way you do. There is no right or wrong here. I have a hydrometer, conductivity tester, and now a load tester you claim is superior.

I have little faith in voltmeter readings and hydrometer after hydrometer showed my electrolyte showed 60% and voltage was normal. My conductivity tester showed bad cell. My tester was right. The battery failed my load test. The load test was the hydraulic pump on dump trailer, 144 amps. I'm sure the carbon tester would have showed battery failed too.

Now I have two testers in one, dc ammeter and carbon tester at a fraction of the price you posted on a carbon tester.

All this testing is for a good reason. IMHO a marine battery isn't the best battery for a dump trailer that draws up to 250 amps. My marine batteries only last 30 months.

Marine batteries are rated at how long they can supply 25 amps.

Car batteries are rated in cranking amps for a short period of time.

I know you don't like my conductivity tester, I do along with every car dealer I do business with. I also like my batteryminder. I feel both are good. Just tested my two 5 year old car batteries I'm using on my dump trailer. They are rated at 625 cca. At 40F one is showing 530 ca and the other at 545 ca. Those numbers are variable depending on temp.

I don't post to prove anyone wrong. I don't post to insult anyone. I post just my findings. Please don't think of this as a contest, it isn't.
respectfully, geo.
 
Now you are cook'N with gas I don't see any need to modify it you can measure electric motor amp draw just the way it is. A load tester is a simulator it will do the same work as the part you are testing. It test output (amp draw) but not input is input what you are looking to get around.
 

How many batteries can you test with a carbon tester without letting it cool off? No limit to the number of batteries you can test with my conductivity tester.

It will let you know line'em up report you findings... Common sense
that its actual doing real work and not a guess and no cooling fan it needs to cool... They generate HEAT you will know when to backer off :D
 
Hell Geo-TH,In,

Sounds like the dump batteries are doing the job. I had no intention to insult you. I hope you did not take it that way. Your new tester will prove valuable as an extra tool, and another way to test your batteries. I know you will find it helpfull. Sounds like you came to the conclusion as I did for the marine batteries. They have their place, not on your high load application. That is why I simply stated they belong in a boat, for the reason you just said. They are rated for 25 amp draw, not 250! Hope we can still chat..... regards

Guido.
 
Yes we can always chat. I enjoy talking batteries even if we have opposing views sometimes. Glad to hear I'm not the only person who thinks marine batteries shouldn't be used in dump trailers.
 
Make that a third person. Deep cycle are not for high amp short loads, good way to wreck it. Regular cranking battery with enough plate surface area or get an AGM if you have cash laying around.

I just bought a big arse truck battery off the pallet at the truck parts store for mine. The winch and hydro pump both run off it. Added a 35 watt solar cell and charge controller on the gooseneck to act as a battery minder.

Hoping to add a light and little air compressor this summer.
 
Ken,
A solar panel won't work for me, I park my trailer inside pole barn. Too many meth heads in my county that would steal the tires off it and remove the batteries.

I keep anything of value locked up with security lights and alarm inside. Knock on wood, so far so good.
 

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