Cig Plug Voltmeters

[Pick]

Bought one last year, and I keep it plugged into the 12V outlet in the TV antenna receptacle. Last week I decided to turn off the AC to the Airstream to give the converter a rest, and my electric bill. It costs around $15-18 a month to keep it plugged in. Well, after a week, I popped my head into the door and was horrified to see the voltmeter reading 11.6 volts! I quickly disconnected the battery and brought it inside, where I got out my good digital meter out and read the battery at 12.72 volts. Battery is setting on the Battery Minder inside a building that is heated to 45, unless I am working inside. I will have to do some investigation as to the descrepency in voltmeter readings. The only "phantom load" I am aware of is the radio/cd player that has a clock.

[wb13798]

if you have the battery out take it to walmart or autozone and get it load checked. the cigarette lighter meter probably isnt very accurate.i plan to get one and take my fluke meter and compare voltages and find the error in the plug in meter. i like the idea of the plug in meter . lol
al

[smily]

There is enough distance from the battery to the TV outlet to justify a slight voltage drop, especially from a weak battery.

You will get optimum readings at the battery but there are "loads" through out the AS that will lower the voltage at the actual load location. voltage from your battery travels a considerbale distance via the univolt "buss", fuses and the wire to the socket is not very big creating a nominal amount of resistance.

As said above , have the battery load tested.

Smily