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checking voltage

Posted: Tue Nov 27, 2012 9:17 am
by mrfarmboy87
Has anyone else ever used a voltmeter/multimeter to check battery out put with the tractor running? Maybe im doing something wrong but i set my voltmeter on 20v direct current and im getting the strangest reading, it bounces any where from a few tenths of a volt to 20 some and its constantly changing. With the tractor off i get a nomal reading of about 6.3 or so. Ive tried it on my vehicle with it running and it reads just fine. Has anyone else encountered this?

Re: checking voltage

Posted: Tue Nov 27, 2012 9:53 am
by Eugene
Pretty common occurrence with a digital multimeter. Try taking the readings with one of the older style, analog with the needle, meters.

I have several digital multimeters and get some fluxuation in the reading, but not to the extent previously described.

Re: checking voltage

Posted: Tue Nov 27, 2012 11:11 am
by beaconlight
Does the battery stay charged? More important than readings.

Re: checking voltage

Posted: Tue Nov 27, 2012 11:31 am
by mrfarmboy87
Well thats where im encountering the problem, I think I have a bad regulator I have a big draw on the system with the switch off, and im thinking the contacts are sticking, so I swaped the regulator from my other tractor it seems to be working and the amp gauge seems to show its charging i was just curious what the out put was thats why i hooked the voltmeter to it.

Re: checking voltage

Posted: Tue Nov 27, 2012 11:32 am
by Bus Driver
Checking it at the battery is the better choice. The battery can absorb spikes and dips in voltage output. It may give more consistent readings with digital meters. An analog meter is the better choice.
One of these with your own leads and clips added would be good.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/DC-20V-Analog-P ... 416e90a183