simple charging system test tool

I made this when I was fighting with the charging system on my jeep. it allows a fluke meter to be plugged into the cigar lighter and reads the system voltage. it helped me to isolate the problems with my gas guage and also told me that my voltage reguator was not working. nice to have in the electric tool box for quick "down-stream" checks of your system. bought from radio shack, a set of banana plug test leads and a cigar lighter plug. cut the pointed ends off the test leads, solder them to the plug (red to center terminal) and you're ready to check things out. can be used while driving too.

 

Thats a good idea!

 

good idea, would give you a idea of what the alternator is doing at any time.... thanks for the idea

 

You should send the idea to Fluke, now if we could just get the amps with the same meter.

 

interesting idea, that meter will read amps, but I have not tried it yet...

 

Yeah, I've been thinking about it, not worth the trouble to hook something like that up. the idea behind this was a quick check tool to diagnose the system, then sit in my tool box collecting dust until the next project.

 

induction coil on the lead from the alternator, run wires to a cigarette lighter socket on the dash.