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$12 Watt Meter/Battery Tester/Power Analyzer — Parallax Forums

$12 Watt Meter/Battery Tester/Power Analyzer

ercoerco Posts: 20,256
edited 2014-08-20 17:59 in General Discussion
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Digital-60V-100A-Battery-Power-Analyzer-Watt-Meter-Balancer-For-DC-RC-Helicopter-/190863796444

No more battery testing via voltmeter plus ammeter, "write down the readings every five minutes" and integrate capacity for me! For $12 I can finally get on with my life. Ordered this morning.

0-60V, 100A peak, 0.001 ohm series resistance, looks as good as the Charger Doctor we all ordered previously.

Curious One, what say ye? :)

Or if you prefer to spend $55, see http://www.amazon.com/Watts-Meter-Analyzer-WU100-Version/dp/B001B6N2WK/ref=pd_rhf_dp_s_cp_1_GZ36?ie=UTF8&refRID=08B47T61GBG2ZT6PGRJQ

This might look pretty sweet mounted permanently on a big robot like Arlo.

Comments

  • Duane DegnDuane Degn Posts: 10,588
    edited 2014-08-16 14:20
    I really wish these sorts of gizmos had a digital output so the data could be recorded in other ways than "writing down the reading every five minutes".
  • ercoerco Posts: 20,256
    edited 2014-08-16 14:50
    Duane Degn wrote: »
    I really wish these sorts of gizmos had a digital output so the data could be recorded in other ways than "writing down the reading every five minutes".

    It's trivial for a jeenyus like you to make one like that from a Quckstart board and a few paperclips!

    Just order one and if you don't love it, I'll give you $6 for it.

    Shipped. :)

    Of course, the Watts display is an accumulator, essentially integrating the total power used over time, so don't need to log V&A every 5 minutes. My OLED USB Charger Doctor arrived today and has the same info displayed, very useful to know.
  • W9GFOW9GFO Posts: 4,010
    edited 2014-08-16 20:56
    What the heck does this mean?
    • Measures peak Amps, peak Watts(except for Doc Wattson) ...
  • mindrobotsmindrobots Posts: 6,506
    edited 2014-08-16 21:01
    W9GFO wrote: »
    What the heck does this mean?
    • Measures peak Amps, peak Watts(except for Doc Wattson) ...

    Maybe they meant "Doc Brown"?? Gigawatts and all?
  • ercoerco Posts: 20,256
    edited 2014-08-16 21:25
    Same seller has a 10mm illuminated, waterproof USB borescope for as little as $15 (price varies by USB cable length). That would be peachy for peering inside pipes, engine cylinders and various other nooks & crannies.

    http://www.ebay.com/itm/10mm-Copper-Head-USB-Micro-Endoscope-Borescope-Inspection-Video-Camera-Loupe-BL-/191168967392
  • TtailspinTtailspin Posts: 1,326
    edited 2014-08-16 22:00
    That looks interesting, I like waterproof feature, also the seller states "it also can be used in medical treatment." so its got that going for it too...:innocent:
  • ercoerco Posts: 20,256
    edited 2014-08-17 07:59
    Ttailspin wrote: »
    That looks interesting, I like waterproof feature, also the seller states "it also can be used in medical treatment." so its got that going for it too...:innocent:

    I am not a medical professional, but IMO the Maker/DIY movement should not include colonoscopies. Even if considerable savings are involved. I guess you'd need the long USB cable for that.

    I like the thumbwheel pot built into the USB connector for adjusting LED brightness. I had not seen that previously.

    130334(1).jpg
  • Duane DegnDuane Degn Posts: 10,588
    edited 2014-08-17 10:20
    erco wrote: »
    I am not a medical professional, but IMO the Maker/DIY movement should not include colonoscopies. Even if considerable savings are involved.

    You are so chicken! I'm not just doing DIY colonascopies, I do DIY heart valve replacement and DIY brain surgery. My DIY lipo suction services just weren't bringing in enough income to support my ebay electronics habit.
  • ercoerco Posts: 20,256
    edited 2014-08-17 19:10
    I couldn't resist, I ordered the 2M USB camera one to try. Will post some video when it arrives in ~two weeks.
  • msrobotsmsrobots Posts: 3,709
    edited 2014-08-17 19:20
    As usual I am happy to read your results and reviews.

    Please do not follow Duanes advice at this time. Think of the twins! NO colonoscopies on video here on this forum, please.

    Enjoy! (?)

    Mike
  • CuriousOneCuriousOne Posts: 931
    edited 2014-08-18 04:38
    Since I'm not into RC/LiPo/etc, I had no need, so I haven't got one :) But I got that "borescope". It is overpriced, I got mine for $6.99, but this was quite a time ago.
  • DaveJensonDaveJenson Posts: 375
    edited 2014-08-20 08:48
    Also, from the description:

    "You can use it to check, ear detection"

    in case you don't know where your ears are! :)
  • Tracy AllenTracy Allen Posts: 6,664
    edited 2014-08-20 09:42
    Erco, please do post that (tasteful) video when you receive the boroscope.

    I did order one of the power meters, for a solar panel running a pump.

    Followup: A gadget came up in another "erco deals" thread, Transistor-Cap-Tester--It was reviewed in EDN magazine last week...
    Clever-engineering-creates-rock-bottom-component-tester
  • ercoerco Posts: 20,256
    edited 2014-08-20 17:59
    Tracy: You're a personal hero of mine. Per your request, I plan to make a very special video: Trip through the '67 Corvair cylinder. It's been many years since I've opened the (rear) hood. Long overdue!
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