Amp draw ?

How do you measure amp draw?

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by KenB:
How do you measure amp draw?<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

With one 6" piece of electrical tape, 2>2" strips alum. foil, and a DMM.

Wise guy I`m serious

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by KenB:
Wise guy

I`m serious

<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

So was I, Ken. The measurement for current draw can easily be taken by rigging the ammeter into the circuit.
-(without shorting out the power supply). No pix capability yet, but if needed, I'll try later to xplain it simply to anyone who hasn't used it yet.
-gotta leave for work now

Hmmm, I think the problem is...I have one of those Radio Shack pocket digital multimeters...maybe these just don`t do it? It has d/c a/c a simble that looks like this -I>+ check...k horse shoe and then a continuity position. Will any of these work? There`s nothing that says omhs or amps or millamps.

If you don`t mind could you look please, it`s cat# 22-802 www.radioshack.com Thanks

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by KenB:
Hmmm, I think the problem is...I have one of those Radio Shack pocket digital multimeters...maybe these just don`t do it? It has d/c a/c a simble that looks like this -I>+ check...k horse shoe and then a continuity position. Will any of these work? There`s nothing that says omhs or amps or millamps.<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Gotta have a DMM that offers d.c. milliamp meas.-if you're on a budget, www.mcmelectronics.com (part #72-6344)-$9..
KenBar uses about same principle that I use....
p.s.-that 9 buck DMM is fused.

Thanks Doug and Ken, I was afraid mine couldn`t do it

Check Ebay for a cheap meter. Or MCM, or Harbor Freight, ... Lots of options for under $20.

I went to a local pawn shop and picked this up for $40. Works like a champ and has more features than I know how to use.


Sorry for the long pic...


Happy hunting!

Measuring amperage with many flashlights is easy. For example-

Maglites- Pull endcap, turn switch to on, set multimeter to 2000ma, and then setting probes between exposed battery negative and non-anodized inner casing.

Nine volt lights can be checked by pulling the 9v clip on one side and inserting the meter probes between the now-exposed battery terminal and clip.

A little ingenuity will allow you to find somewhere to insert those probes into the circuit on most lights that I have worked with.

BTW-
Has any new Arclight purchaser (other than Brock, Chris M., or Craig) taken any current draw on measurement on their light?
Thanx,

Hey Ken, i recognize those little pocket meters! We use em in computer repair class...teacher has a bunch of those
I still love my meter...think i got it for about $80 at radioshack...nice and rugged...while we're postin pictures...heres mine:

I guess this is "show and tell" day...



The small unit on top is a Tektronix J-16 digital photometer, and the large unit on the bottom is my Fluke 8000A DMM.

Can I play too?


This is my up-to-date ultra high technology multimeter-->


Actually I think it was made in the early 1960s, but is still almost spot-on accurate! The meter I normally use is a Fluke 8010A digi bench meter with LCD display (soon to be white-LED backlit) but I havn`t got a pic of that to hand. And then there`s a battery powered Precision-Gold pocket meter which is OK but nothing special.

There. Anyone else care to show off their test equipment too? I have some pics of my power supplies if anyone wants to see.....

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Chris M.:
[QB

This is my up-to-date ultra high technology multimeter--> [/QB]<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

EEK!!

Power supply... judging by the type & style of the components inside, looks like mid-1970s stuff to me.



It's almost as old as my telephone!!

Cool telephone!

<center></center>

These are all older than I am!
On the left, my primary supply. 0-30v, 0-5A, circa late 70s as a guess. Currently firing on 7 out of its 8 output transistors though I do have a replacement one here awaiting installation.
On the right, scavenged from work and currently dead, I havn`t looked inside yet but it wouldn`t surprise me if it was first used before the moon landing took place!
On top, 12v AC 2A (modified by me to add the terminals, neon, fuse and switch, using geniune-ish vintage parts), last used to power up a home made string of LED xmas lights. Pre-WW2 era.