Voltage read-out and phone charger

[ctaylor738]

Maybe I'm the only one who didn't know about this, but I found this great gadget on Amazon:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B019MBR2OE/ref=od_aui_detailpages00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Watch your battery and charge your phone, or power your sound bar all for less than ten bucks.  Picture attached.

Cheers,

CT

[66andBlue]

Chuck,
nice gadget indeed. Have you tested whether it works with the Pagoda lighter port? On some of these gadgets the pin is too short.

[TheEngineer]

Chuck,
nice gadget indeed. Have you tested whether it works with the Pagoda lighter port? On some of these gadgets the pin is too short.

The diameter of the pagoda lighter socket is also a little larger compared to today's lighter sockets. The smart man always tests things!

[ctaylor738]

I'll check the 280SL tomorrow.  It worked fine in my Ponton, though.  I actually bought it because I was having issues with my driver SL500.

The smart man will also take an occasional modest risk.

[66andBlue]

....
The smart man will also take an occasional modest risk.

So right you are!
Life should not be a bore. 

[Tom]

There is a work around for the slightly larger diameter of the cigarette lighter.  Take the foam ear plugs that a smart man always keeps in his Pagoda for noise suppression and use this to keep the modern USB outlet smarty and snugly in the cigarette lighter socket.  Works for me every time.

For $12, I went a step up the risk spectrum and bought the 3 way outlet to help satisfy my multiple gadget needs.

[ctaylor738]

The wait is over, the risk is rewarded.

[Atazman]

Thanks for testing.  i have been looking at slightly different versions, but will get this one.

[Garry]

I think it is a great idea and I tried to order three but unfortunately Amazon will not post to Australia for some reason on that item.

[hauser]

Question

Will the size of the alternator, in this case 35 or 55 amp, give different results?

[66andBlue]

I think it is a great idea and I tried to order three but unfortunately Amazon will not post to Australia for some reason on that item.

Garry, did you look at Amazon.UK ?  This Jebsens model is nice too:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00SWGWILI/ref=s9_acsd_hps_bw_c_x_3_w

[Garry]

Thanks Alfred, I am going to get them sent to an address in USA and unforward.  The UK site wanted nearly $40 for delivery!!!!

Garry

[TheEngineer]

What is this? 10.6 volt? A fully charged battery should be 12.8 volt and with the engine running it should be 13.6 to 14.1 volt. I hope you are aware that you can remove the cover of the voltage regulator and adjust the voltage using a screwdriver. You must have an accurate volt meter. This raises the question: Does the gadget you have inserted in your dashboard give you an accurate reading? Check that first and then adjust the voltage regulator. Measure the voltage at the alternator terminal.

[Tom]

Hi,

So that reading was my car that is sadly sitting in winter hibernation and surely the battery is low.  I bought one of these based on Chuck's post, but bought the one with 3 outlets.  Attached is a picture with reading of 10.8 with the engine off - this largely confirms Chuck's reading on my car.  The next picture is with the engine on, reading 13.9.  So my guess is the output is accurate.  I also tested the outlets and it puts out 5.2 amps.

Completely unrelated, the last picture is of my car with the left rear running light equpped with an LED and the right light equipped with the standard bulb.  Wow!  I am sure others have already converted over but I am slow to this kind of stuff.  Off to get more of these LED's.  The interesting thing is these also work for the brake lights so I am going to use these for brakes until my others come in.

Best,

Tom

[JamesL]

Wow - liking the LEDs. Not sure I could stomach the white LED at the front but at the back - especially brake lights...