Site Member

August 6, 2011

A site member recommends a simple $20 gadget that lets you measure the voltage of home batteries. This way, you will not replace one prematurely. Over the years, this will save you money. It will also save you frustration: a battery that dies in the middle of something important.

He posted this on one of my site's forums. You can get good tips from experts who are members of my site.

The first member offered a solution: smart shopping.

[My lapel microphone] requires a button type battery (LR44 also called AG13). If you are recording live performances, speeches, classes, etc., you want to be sure that your microphone doesn't die in the middle, so to be safe, you should use a new battery for every session.

That can get expensive, because at Walmart, a pack of three is more than $5. The DollarTree sells an 8-pack of Sunbeam brand LR44 batteries for $1. So if you're going to be doing a lot of recording, that's an enormous savings.

I have been using them for two years, and they will usually last at least five hours.

Here is another solution: a $20 volt-ammeter.

I use a lot of batteries, all the time. Disposable batteries are expensive. I also use many "NiMH" rechargeables. Both types can die at the most inopportune moments! {Especially my Mother's Hearing-Aid batteries}. With a little experience using a VOM, I get maximum usage, save Money, and experience zero inopportune die-outs.

Battery Management

* There is more than one way to do this.

* This works best for most.

* You need to own a simple "Digital Volt-Ammeter."

* It ONLY needs to measure "DC-Volts." 90% of them will measure more than DC Voltage. That's O.K.

* For those people who don't read "User Guides," buy one from a retail off-line store and ask the salesman to set it up to measure DC-volts.

* You'll do MUCH better if you read the manual.

* You want an accurate meter. I haven't bought one in 25 years, because I take care of my electronic devices & I don't lend them to others. So I can't help here.

* Don't lend it out. You'll never get it back.

* Buy it new. Don't buy a used meter.

* Here is what it does: www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/volt-ammeter * You can buy one at any Radio Shack & at any electronics store. Google "Volt-Ammeter" you will find hundreds of on-line stores that sell them.

* I advise buying a name-brand one. It will be more accurate.

* Test it BEFORE you buy it.

IMPORTANT:

* You want it to measure ACCURATELY TO TWO DECIMAL POINTS.

PROCEDURE

* The RED Lead is for +

* The BLACK Lead is for -

* When measuring DC Voltage, it does not really matter which Lead you use to measure Positive (+) or Negative (-) Voltages.

However, do that anyway--Keep Using RED on +

And BLACK on -

It is just a convention that makes everything easier to explain!

* Obtain a new battery. Read its DC-Volts. All of you KNOW what I am referring to!

Most Flashlight Batteries will be "1.5 Volts" or "1.5 V" All New Batteries will measure at more than 1.5 V. That is Mandated by Federal Rules & Regs. This is an example of a "good regulation." Standardization of battery voltages makes everyone's life easier!

* START TO MEMORIZE what you see as you measure the Voltage.

* As you use New batteries, PERIODICALLY take them out and measure their voltages.

This will teach you {IF you choose to remember} how long batteries last in your various devices. You only have to do this for the first 2-4 months. One time.

* WHEN YOUR BATTERY(ies) DIE--take them out and measure each one's voltage!

* HERE IS A SECRET THAT IS TAUGHT to everyone who has Studied Digital Electronics: MOST of your electronic devices {Everything} ARE DESIGNED TO STOP WORKING WHEN yourbBatteries drain down to 1.2 VOLTS! [This is due to the invention of the transistor & The I.C. {integrated circuit} & The "J-K FLIP FLOP." I include this for the Technical Minded ones reading this. As we learned, there would have been no advancement in digital computers without the "J-K Flip Flop." ]

HERE'S The Deal.

* Battery management is measuring your battery's DC voltage.

* Battery management is simply measuring the DC-voltage of your batteries, and using your memory.

* I know this seems geeky. I admit to also being a Geek. BUT-- this will quickly become automatic & fast if you do it consistently for 3-6 Months.

USING "Silver Oxide" & "Lithium Batteries.

* Measuring their voltage is a little tricky, because these batteries have two flat surfaces.

* Just press the metal parts of the leads onto both surfaces. In most cases, you'll have to set your Ammeter to measure higher numbers. Always set it to the range that is HIGHER than your Battery's rated voltage {i.e, what is printed on the battery package}.

IF you do this, you WILL save a LOT of money in batteries!

For over 250 more tips, click here:

http://www.garynorth.com/public/department54.cfm