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Lynn Matteson
Joined: 10 Jan 2006
Posts: 2778
Location: Grass Lake, Michigan
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 Posted: Thu Jul 14, 2011 5:04 pm Post subject: Voltmeter advice needed |
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I'm looking for a small digital voltmeter....voltmeter ONLY, if
possible. I want to install a voltmeter in my panel to monitor my
timing advance (this uses less than 2 volts). I realize that I can
buy a multimeter, but I don't want to have to figure out what to do
to make all the other functions go away and leave me with ONLY the
voltage reading. This way I hope to be able to mount just the display
somewhere on the panel (I'm running out of room) and read only
voltage, which will be under 2 volts in this application. Anybody
know of one, or able to steer me in the right direction?
I have a couple of digital multimeters, but looking inside and seeing
all the extra crap that I don't need, made me decide that there must
be an easier way.
Lynn Matteson
Kitfox IV Speedster, taildragger
Jabiru 2200, #2062
Prince prop 64 x 30, P-tip
Electroair direct-fire ignition system
Rotec TBI-40 injection (sleeved to 36mm)
Status: flying with "Ramcharger" intake manifold...1137 hrs (since
3-27-2006)
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_________________
Lynn
Kitfox IV-Jabiru 2200
N369LM |
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lcfitt(at)sbcglobal.net
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| Posted: Fri Jul 15, 2011 6:42 am Post subject: Voltmeter advice needed |
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Lynn,
Late last night I checked out Mouser, my favorite electronics outlet. Be
careful though, if you buy too much you will get a New York City phonebook
sized catalog ever three months. They have several 2 volt digital volt
meters. The hitch is that they will need a 5 volt supply to to feed the LCD
display. I have found it almost impossible, though, to navigate their
online catalog.
Try this. In their home page search field, Type in Murata. Then on the
next page there will be a search field titled "Select Manufacturer" - click
on the down arrow and select "Murata Power Solutions". Then click on "Panel
Meters". Here you will find a page that shows filters that will narrow your
search. This is where it gets fun. As you click on the filters, the red
line will give you the number if items still remaining after the filters are
applied.
One other thing, for the 5v supply, do a search on DC to DC converters.
These are small postage stamp sized solid state devices that will convert
the 12 or more volt input to a regulated 5 volt output.
The reason I like this company is that they have almost everything you will
ever need electronically, but they also don't have a minimum order so will
sell to the occasional hobbyist, or the bulk buying manufacturer. They will
also give an inventory supply so you know if it is a stocked item or will be
back ordered.
Hope this helps.
Lowell
--------------------------------------------------
From: "Lynn Matteson" <lynnmatt(at)jps.net>
Sent: Thursday, July 14, 2011 6:01 PM
To: <jabiruengines(at)yahoogroups.com>; <jabiruengine-list(at)matronics.com>;
<kitfox-list(at)matronics.com>
Subject: Voltmeter advice needed
| Quote: |
I'm looking for a small digital voltmeter....voltmeter ONLY, if possible.
I want to install a voltmeter in my panel to monitor my timing advance
(this uses less than 2 volts). I realize that I can buy a multimeter, but
I don't want to have to figure out what to do to make all the other
functions go away and leave me with ONLY the voltage reading. This way I
hope to be able to mount just the display somewhere on the panel (I'm
running out of room) and read only voltage, which will be under 2 volts
in this application. Anybody know of one, or able to steer me in the
right direction?
I have a couple of digital multimeters, but looking inside and seeing all
the extra crap that I don't need, made me decide that there must be an
easier way.
Lynn Matteson
Kitfox IV Speedster, taildragger
Jabiru 2200, #2062
Prince prop 64 x 30, P-tip
Electroair direct-fire ignition system
Rotec TBI-40 injection (sleeved to 36mm)
Status: flying with "Ramcharger" intake manifold...1137 hrs (since
3-27-2006)
|
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pwmac(at)sisna.com
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gpabruce(at)gmail.com
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| Posted: Fri Jul 15, 2011 8:38 am Post subject: Voltmeter advice needed |
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Are you wanting digital or analog and with how much resolution? What is the voltage range you are needing (ie 1.00 to 2.00 vdc or 1.000 to 1.100 etc)
What size display do you want? 3/8 1/2 1 etc
What first comes to mind is an el cheapo multimeter set on the 2 VDC range. (I presume VDC), remove the digital display from the meter and mount it remotely (your instrument panel), and mount the internal electronics where there is more room. Don't worry about the other functions, just set it to 2 vdc max and go from there. That automatically selects the number of decimals to the right of the decimal point.
Harbor Freight comes to mind. Buy an el-cheapo meter and crack it open and try it. If you like what you see, go from there . . . if not keep exploring. You are looking at a less than $5-$20 investment. I once built a event counter display out of a $2 calculator to prove a point and solve a problem A person can throw all sorts of money at something like this. It all depends on the persons mind set to get the job done, to lean towards the frugal side or the expensive side. Secondly, is the primary function variable from the cockpit and you wish to measure and see the results? Said another way, can you change your timing from the cockpit? If so, what voltage range correlates with the minimum and maximum timing angles you want to measure?
Also keep this in mind: You can install a couple jacks on your panel or below where you can plug a meter in and hang the meter somewhere out of the way. This would be simple if you don't need the information all the time plus you have your meter intact for other things if needed.
Consider the battery too. Are you going to use internal or external power for the meter/display? If internal, you will need to be able to change the battery occasionally plus you will need an on/off power switch or a relay from your master.
My 2 pennies . . . .
Bruce
On Thu, Jul 14, 2011 at 6:01 PM, Lynn Matteson <lynnmatt(at)jps.net (lynnmatt(at)jps.net)> wrote:.
| Quote: | --> Kitfox-List message posted by: Lynn Matteson <lynnmatt(at)jps.net (lynnmatt(at)jps.net)>
I'm looking for a small digital voltmeter....voltmeter ONLY, if possible. I want to install a voltmeter in my panel to monitor my timing advance (this uses less than 2 volts). I realize that I can buy a multimeter, but I don't want to have to figure out what to do to make all the other functions go away and leave me with ONLY the voltage reading. This way I hope to be able to mount just the display somewhere on the panel (I'm running out of room) and read only voltage, which will be under 2 volts in this application. Anybody know of one, or able to steer me in the right direction?
I have a couple of digital multimeters, but looking inside and seeing all the extra crap that I don't need, made me decide that there must be an easier way.
|
Try separating the display from the electronics on one of your meters. possibly you can use a ribbon wire to extend the display from the meter internals. I would consider using a plug connector between them otherwise you wind up with the same problem.
[quote]
Lynn Matteson
Kitfox IV Speedster, taildragger
Jabiru 2200, #2062
Prince prop 64 x 30, P-tip
Electroair direct-fire ignition system
Rotec TBI-40 injection (sleeved to 36mm)
Status: flying with "Ramcharger" intake manifold...1137 hrs (since 3-27-2006)
====================================
target="_blank">http://www.matronics.com/Navigator?Kitfox-List
====================================
http://forums.matronics.com
====================================
le, List Admin.
="_blank">http://www.matronics.com/contribution
====================================
[b]
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Lynn Matteson
Joined: 10 Jan 2006
Posts: 2778
Location: Grass Lake, Michigan
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| Posted: Fri Jul 15, 2011 9:46 am Post subject: Voltmeter advice needed |
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That helps a bunch, Lowell...thanks. I have a Hobbico digital
voltmeter, which I thought about stripping and using, but if I can
find a unit like you describe, that'll be much better. I've got a
local electronics guru who'll be able to help, so maybe I'll get this
thing going. I'm gonna copy this post and take it with me when I see
him tomorrow.
Lynn Matteson
Kitfox IV Speedster, taildragger
Jabiru 2200, #2062
Prince prop 64 x 30, P-tip
Electroair direct-fire ignition system
Rotec TBI-40 injection (sleeved to 36mm)
Status: flying with "Ramcharger" intake manifold...1137 hrs (since
3-27-2006)
On Jul 15, 2011, at 10:40 AM, Lowell Fitt wrote:
| Quote: |
<lcfitt(at)sbcglobal.net>
Lynn,
Late last night I checked out Mouser, my favorite electronics
outlet. Be careful though, if you buy too much you will get a New
York City phonebook sized catalog ever three months. They have
several 2 volt digital volt meters. The hitch is that they will
need a 5 volt supply to to feed the LCD display. I have found it
almost impossible, though, to navigate their online catalog.
Try this. In their home page search field, Type in Murata. Then
on the next page there will be a search field titled "Select
Manufacturer" - click on the down arrow and select "Murata Power
Solutions". Then click on "Panel Meters". Here you will find a
page that shows filters that will narrow your search. This is
where it gets fun. As you click on the filters, the red line will
give you the number if items still remaining after the filters are
applied.
One other thing, for the 5v supply, do a search on DC to DC
converters. These are small postage stamp sized solid state devices
that will convert the 12 or more volt input to a regulated 5 volt
output.
The reason I like this company is that they have almost everything
you will ever need electronically, but they also don't have a
minimum order so will sell to the occasional hobbyist, or the bulk
buying manufacturer. They will also give an inventory supply so
you know if it is a stocked item or will be back ordered.
Hope this helps.
Lowell
|
| | - The Matronics Kitfox-List Email Forum - | | | Use the List Feature Navigator to browse the many List utilities available such as the Email Subscriptions page, Archive Search & Download, 7-Day Browse, Chat, FAQ, Photoshare, and much more:
http://www.matronics.com/Navigator?Kitfox-List |
|
_________________
Lynn
Kitfox IV-Jabiru 2200
N369LM |
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| Back to top |
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Lynn Matteson
Joined: 10 Jan 2006
Posts: 2778
Location: Grass Lake, Michigan
|
| Posted: Fri Jul 15, 2011 10:54 am Post subject: Voltmeter advice needed |
|
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I'll say...thanks, Paul....I'll be looking at these more closely.
Lynn Matteson
Kitfox IV Speedster, taildragger
Jabiru 2200, #2062
Prince prop 64 x 30, P-tip
Electroair direct-fire ignition system
Rotec TBI-40 injection (sleeved to 36mm)
Status: flying with "Ramcharger" intake manifold...1139 hrs (since
3-27-2006)
On Jul 15, 2011, at 11:33 AM, paul wilson wrote:
| | - The Matronics Kitfox-List Email Forum - | | | Use the List Feature Navigator to browse the many List utilities available such as the Email Subscriptions page, Archive Search & Download, 7-Day Browse, Chat, FAQ, Photoshare, and much more:
http://www.matronics.com/Navigator?Kitfox-List |
|
_________________
Lynn
Kitfox IV-Jabiru 2200
N369LM |
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