TR2/3/3A Voltmeter add on reccommendations?

[RC64]

For awhile now I've been considering adding a voltmeter to my TR-3A as an additional source of information about the electrical system performance. Any suggestions as to a brand / model that is reliable and stable? Any thoughts on analog vs digital? The digital multimeter I use for testing requires an educated guess to come up with an apparent average voltage. Are there digital versions of add ons that are damped?

I've seen a couple of TR-3s with the meter attached with a bracket on the lower edge of the dash. Suggestions?

Rick...

 

[Geo Hahn]

I only use a voltmeter (while driving) on occasion -- such as after an electric mod or a control box adjustment or to diagnose a problem. For those things I have a simple meter that plugs into a power socket (aka cigarette lighter) that I have added in a discreet location.

Got the meter on Amazon, gone up quite a bit but still cheap:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0085GVX8E/ref=pe_175190_21431760_3p_M3T1_ST1_dp_1

It seems to be accurate and the reading is steady.

 

[TR3driver]

Cool, thanks for the tip, Geo! I just bought one. Now maybe I'll get motivated to add the outlet

IMO, battery voltage shouldn't be jumping around that much anyway. If you're seeing more than perhaps 0.2v of dither, there is a problem. OTOH, checking the control box open circuit voltage setting per the book does jump around a bunch. If you find a digital meter with that kind of damping, I'd like to hear about it. My thought was to build a filter that could be plugged into the meter, but I've not gone any further than that (and mentally averaging the reading of course).

 

[RC64]

>> For those things I have a simple meter that plugs into a power socket (aka cigarette lighter) that I have added in a discreet location. <<

That gave me a idea. I have intended to add a lighter plug receptacle so I could then use one of those USB port adapters for charging a cell phone. I went to have a look on Amazon for the one you are using and I found this...



That would solve all my projected needs in one spot. Volt meter, USB port, and a 12v supply for other goodies. I think it would mount nicely on bracket on the underside of the glovebox. I might just give it a try.

Rick...

 

[PatGalvin]

I had to buy one of these. Was just $5 on Amazon. Works great. Plugged it into my Toyota to test on the way home from work. 12.2V with car not running. 13.8V with car running at speed. Will make diagnosing a faulty charging system too easy.

Thanks for the recommendation Geo.

pat