did I damage the batteries?

[MikeRuth]

I have one of these and it has been very accurate. Best price in town if you can find one in a store.

http://comingsoon.radioshack.com/ra...clamp-on-multimeter/2200172.html#.VZ26dvlVhBc

Mike R

 

[ccbreder]

i thought RS went out of business and closed their stores.

 

[MikeRuth]

i thought RS went out of business and closed their stores.

I'm not sure of there current status and yes they were downsizing big time, but on that site they say look for the upcoming new radio shack website. 

Again I haven't researched but I get the feeling there is a major reorganization to web only sales. 

With regards to that amp meter, I bought mine in store for that price a couple months back, so if there is a store near by it wouldn't hurt to give them a call and see if they have one. 

At that price even if it craps out in the near future I wouldn't suffer a big money loss. But I would bet this is a tool that will last a long time with proper care. They come in a pretty nice carrying case along with a temp probe and a set of 600V test leads and instructions. 

Mike R

 

[SternWake]

That radio shack clamp meter certainly gets horrible reviews, and one glowing review by someone who might be into bestiality.


I understand wanting to find the cheapest product available, but So often this tactic winds up costing so much more.  It seems some many got online forums with the cheapest possible product, then want to find somebody who says it works 'just fine' and wants another person to justify their purchase.


The Drok ammeter/voltmeter combo requires one to join 4 wires to the Shunt, two big, two small.  With regards to wiring up the whole electrical system in a Van, wiring this device up is cakework.  If One's prospects of wiring up the Drok successfully are too Dire, then perhaps one should not be rigging up their own electrical system.

Clamp on Ammeters are great, I use mine daily, but a permanent Ammeter that displays charging current into the battery at the flip of a switch is so enlightening as to battery state of charge.

 

[dogear52]

Thanks SternWake. I'm sure I can figure out the DROK hook up. I prefer to keep it as simple, and risk free as possible (almost fried my batteries with the Schum.) and am only concerned with getting the basics going. So I wish to tread very carefully in this electrical arena due to being new to it and financial concerns, not to mention the other risk potential. If the DROK is not necessary initially with the PD9245, I wont spend the extra money, but will likely get one as I become more familiar with the system because it looks like a handy device and I respect your level of knowledge and appreciate your willingness to educate. The clamp on ammeter will also have to wait unless it is necessary with the PD. Down the road the LED looks appealing as back up. I'm just assuming the PD will be enough to start with without the extras, even the pendant (until my next monthly pension check arrives). Thanks again.

 

[SternWake]

The PD9245 is automatic, the ammeters are not necessary, they are learning tools.

Since the PD's automatic stages can be overridden via the pendant, those tools are great to have to know when to override the stages.

But you do not have to. 

 People have been blindly trusting their charging sources since the word 'automatic' was plastered on one.  Throw a green light on for good measure and those people "Know" when their battery is fully charged, and will climb a mountain, pound their chests, and scream MY battery is FULLLLLLLLL.  Look, the light is green!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


I think most PDs are sold with the pendant unless they specifically say they do not.  I ordered a pendant with my project PD and now have two.  Need to return the extra.

The Pendant has a green light.  My PD has not been hooked to a battery or the grid for several days now.  The light is still on,  Sometimes blinking.

It is looking for someone to soothe I guess.