Digital multi meter

BB needs some tips on using a multi meter that he bought and has lost the instructions! The next post will be a picture of it, I hope!

If you can make out the model number and manufacturer - google it!

Ok, the only measuring you'll do with this meter is the battery voltage. Start by turning the dial to the left to the white lettering, this is Volts DC, for Direct current, which is why you have the white stripe after the 'V'. It's pretty hard to damage this kind of Voltmeter, turn the dial to 200 and then poke the probes into the battery connection socket. It's usually a good idea to have the bit that your poking probes into, securely held. I have a little vice with removable rubber jaws which works very well. The last thing you want is the connector shying away from you while you're trying to push probes in! Most damage caused by multi meters is the damage caused when the probe shorts (connects 2 tracks together) stuff that it shouldn't. With the probes inserted, it doesn't matter which way round, read the number on the screen. If it's less than 20 remove the probe, turn the dial to 20 and try again. If the leads are reversed (+ve to -ve and -ve to +ve) then the reading will have a - (minus) in front of it.
For the moment never change the dial while both probes are connected.

Those numbers aren't right, BB
A 2s lipo (the C rating is unimportant) should be about 7v when it is low, and about 10 when it is charged.
A 1S cell shows around 3.5 when it is low, and 4.8 full.
A 4S should be (3.5 X 4) = 14v flat and ( 4.8 X 4) = 19.2 full
Are you sure you were wearing your reading glasses?

Are you sure those 2200s weren't 3s?
Now you're going to take an AA or AAA battery or 2 and measure its voltage. I'd be interested to know the result, also to know if the readings are different when you reverse the leads.

THE BLACKBIRD wrote: Yes Simon that is exactly what i did if thats all i can do with it just checking voltage then it not much use to me

Hmm, colour blind as well as dyslexic!
Right so now you know how to measure DC voltage. Now we're going to measure some DC current. First set up a Ubec feeding a receiver with a servo. Set up as you would normally and check that it works, measure the voltage into the receiver while you're at it.
Now, take an old servo extension lead and cut the black about half way along, bare the black wires back about 1/4". Plug this lead between the Ubec and the RX. Now turn your meter dial to the 10Amp setting and move the red probe to the left hand socket. Then connect your probes, one to each black wire.
You should now be able to see the rest current of the RX plus the servo. It should only be fractions of an amp, try waggling the stick to see how the servo draws more current. Try stalling the servo, see how the current gets much higher.