circuit tester

[jc1234]

hi, i need to know if my radio live wire is getting power to it, so i realsed i need a circuit tester

will this do the job, do you just shove it to the wire and press a button and it tell you if there is power in it

http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/..._productId_236977_langId_-1_categoryId_133825

 

[Hugh]

You'd be better off with a multimeter. http://www.caraudiodirect.co.uk/digital-multimeter-p-4938.html

 

[jc1234]

and how does it work, say i want to check, well i do on the radio.


got it, decied to get from there, 13 quid there want,and not sure if it right one, if i can get my amp working, i can plug my mp3 thought it for temp sound.

 

[Arnold]

There's millions of google results on how to use a multimeter.

 

[Retepetsir]

Switch it to DC voltage (20v range) and put one connector on the live wire and the other connector to ground, you should see 12-14v on the display if the radio wire is live.

 

[Micra Jo]

You could have picked it up for less, and not had to wait for the postie by going to Maplins...

http://www.maplin.co.uk/Module.aspx?ModuleNo=44679&criteria=multimeter&doy=2m9

 

[jc1234]

i have a look there tonight and reject them at the door.

do you know the volts for the battery, live,acc and anymore of what it should be

 

[Micra Jo]

i have a look there tonight and reject them at the door.

do you know the volts for the battery, live,acc and anymore of what it should be

These voltages will as mentioned above, be in the region of 12 to 14 volts, typically around 13.8 volts.

However, the fact that you obtain this presence of power at around this stated level means that the particular part of the circuit you're checking is indeed 'live'.

You shouldn't encounter any other voltages, the head unit internal power supply will step up/down to its own requirements - you need only be concerned with the power going into the head unit.

If you want detailed information, consult a technical data sheet on your particular head unit.

 

[Pete]

I've got a fancy mulitmeter 0-600V DC not that i've taken it over 13.2 when the 2cv was at full tilt.

 

[Micra Jo]

I've got a fancy mulitmeter 0-600V DC not that i've taken it over 13.2 when the 2cv was at full tilt.

I think we all got one of those....somewhere lol


http://www.maplin.co.uk/Module.aspx?ModuleNo=37279&&source=14&doy=3m9

2 for the price of 1

 

[Pete]

Mine is more like this one...

http://www.maplin.co.uk/Module.aspx?ModuleNo=46387

 

[Micra Jo]

Mine is more like this one...

http://www.maplin.co.uk/Module.aspx?ModuleNo=46387

Good stuff, ideal for current measurements...but your one is only good for AC current...so little use in-car :doh:

These clamp meters are getting surprisingly cheaper though :wow:

 

[Pete]

Thats not the exact one i've got, it has a range of DC settings as well on the little disc.