Can someone show/tell me how to place my leads on this mm. I want to measure the output of the alternator of an ATV, at the battery, with the battery cable removed. I know the alt is working, because it continues to run with cable disconnected. But when I tried to measure it, I had sparks jumping, my leads got real hot real quick, and I nearly (if not) burned up the MM. I only paid 5 bux for it, lmao, but it is the only one I have.

Can you show me where to put each lead? I had a hard time reducing the pic size, I hope you can still read the switch settings and also tell me where to put the dial.

Thank you very much. If the pic is too small, hold down the alt key and then use the scroll button. I hope it works. Thank you. Randy D.

 

I can not access the pic but the meter dial should be set to DC volts (DC with a = sign above it not ~ this is AC) Usually one lead gets plugged into the terminal marked com (common) and the other should be marked V for volts. If you put the leads on the alternator cables back to front the meter will try to read backwards, just swap them over...hope this help

 

OK, I see the com port. Another one says 10ADC, and the third and last one says V then the upside down U clip letter, then MA, like VUmA.

I see where the dial can be set to DCV, but it has 200m, 2000m, 20, 200, then 1000. If I want to measure the alternator output, what should I use? Or how to measure the battery? I will want amp output of the battery, correct?

I may need a new battery. but it will run $100, they sure are proud of them.

Thank you in advance. Trying to learn here.

 

With bike off, read DC voltage (pos lead to pos post/neg lead to neg post)
Should be 12vdc. With engine running do same - should be higher.

For alternator output, you really want to use a "Clamp-on". Its safe and quick and accurate.

what brand meter you have?

 

It is a Harbor Freight Cen-Tech El cheapo, lmao.

I don't think it will go low enough. I will get my cousin to bring a better quality meter over here.

Does the pic show up good enough to read it? Control and the scroll key will magnify it.

Thank you. RD

 

If your atv is running without battery......charging system is probably ok.

Charging DC Voltage should be about 13 VDC at battery post terminals. All meters are a little different. Hopefully your cousin has a better meter.

 

It is charging. The battery went dead, I kept charging it, BSing with it, I gave up. Took the DieHard battery out of my HD while it was being painted, and it had never had a minutes trouble before. Now it is going dead too. I run without lights, and it keeps going dead in the daytime. I KNOW this battery was good.

I don't want to keep buying batteries. The cheapest one I have found in town is $85, and I am still unemployed. OUCH!


Just not sure what to do. ATV runs great with the battery cable off. I have never added any accessories, so I don't think I have a hidden drain anywhere.

Just trying to figure this out, it is whipping my **** right now.

Thanx, RD

 

Rode it last night after dark, with the lights on. Lights went yellow after about 10 minutes, I headed home, and the atv would only "click" after I turned it off. Wouldn't even think about cranking. I don't know if it is the battery, or the alt is putting out but not enough.

 

Geeez Randy, that pic is a little hard to see. Black lead goes in the com port and red, in the top??? You're looking for a volts dc marking.

Then find a setting above for maybe 25-50 volts. DC not AC. DC has the = sign.

Test on battery posts with them both connected. Should be around 12 maybe a bit less. When running, around 13.2 - 13.8v if everything is charging correctly. This is the simplest test but gives a quick overview.

You want to make sure it's not over charging....like 15-16 volts.......This will kill a battery as well.

 

Thanx. I was hoping you could hold the alt key down and then scroll, the pics should enlarge real big. But anyway, it isn't overcharging, the lights are very dim and yellowish. It does run without the battery, and motor sounds fine.

I can't go for a battery right now, close to a hundred bux, might as well be a million to me. Got to figure it out though.

Thanx in advance, RD