DC voltmeter for anodizer?

EdCaffreyMS

EdCaffreyMS

"The Montana Bladesmith"
Hi Gang! Thought I would throw this out and see if I can glean some knowledge. Currently I am using a mult-meter for reading the DC voltage for my home built anodizer.... however, the read out on the mult-meter isn't back lit, which often makes it very hard to see inside the shop.

I'm looking for a Digital readout voltmeter for my anodizer..one with either lighted digits or a backlight readout. I recently purchased a 3 pak of the "mini" ones that are sold on Ebay http://www.ebay.com/itm/281477794143?_trksid=p2060353.m2749.l2649&ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT, and after receiving, and trying to hook them up, found that these units do not work with voltage that has been converted from AC. When power is applied to these type of units, where the power is converted from AC to DC, all these meter do is flash random segments of the digits. (most of the electronics we use in the shop are AC current converted to DC, such as my etcher and the anodizer)

Ideally, I would like a two wire setup, rather then having to add another power supply to the setup. Anybody know of such a DC volt meter? I've sent out several emails to various Ebay sellers, but am yet to get any replies.
 
Ed, it shouldn't matter if the DC is converted from AC or direct from battery..... "IF" there is sufficient capacitor for smoothing the DC. Also, depends on if a single diode is used, or if a full wave bridge is used for converting.

Does the power supply use a center tapped transformer? Is a diode bridge used? What size capacitor - if any - is used?

With a half wave rectifier (one diode) you basically have an "ON" for half cycle,"OFF" for half a cycle, then "ON" again 60 times per second. That voltage flow and that might well cause the exact problem you are having.

With a full wave rectifier and good capacitor the DC voltage from an AC transformer will look just about the same as a battery DC voltage and should work with your DC volt meter.

Let me know if I can help any with this.

Ken H>
 
Wow Ken! That is so far over my head.....my eyes are blurry right now! :) All I can tell you is that I purchased the ones I posted the link to.....I tested them with my personalizer plus (set on the DC side) and all they would do is flash random segement of the digits. I contacted the seller, explained to him what was happening, and even sent him a short video of what was happening. He supposedly contacted his supplier, and then told me that these meters will not work with DC current converted from AC. He refunded my money and told me to throw them in the trash.

Where my issue lies, and the reason I decided to look for a lighted DC voltmeter is because right now I am using a multimeter, hooked up to the output leads on my anodizer. It works, but I have difficulty seeing it because of my shop lighting. My great idea was...... If I could fine a two wire, lighted disply DC voltmeter that reads 0-100 volts DC, I'd have the issue solved...but with my limited electronics knowledge, its proving more difficult then I thought. :)
 
Ken will probably shoot me for recommending this, Ed, but this is one of the few times where a Wiggy is worth having.

A Wiggy is a glorified test light with a graduated scale. For what you want to do they work great and the readout is... a series of lights. Super easy to read.

They are cheap. Lowes or Home Depot usually have them.

***** a Wiggy IS NOT a substitute for a decent meter like a Fluke, etc. it is not an accurate instrument but for what you want it's pretty darn handy.

Amazon has them for about 30 bucks. Search "Ideal Vol-Con XL 61-086"


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How about analog, I've seen seen 4-5" DC analog dials, I would think they make larger ones, just the face plate in DC scale with an easy to see needle.
 
Awww Steve, there's nothing sexy about those old fashion needle analog gauges - we're now in the "digital" age and NEED digital gauges :) :) :)

Well, you were not out anything on the voltmeters since they refund your money.... just some wasted time.

John, I'm not sure a wiggy will work for what Ed's wanting.

Ed, I have a HARD time believing they won't work on any DC voltage that's been converted from AC - I'd sure like to play with those to test them out. I might just order a set to play with.

Ken H.
 
The Vol-Con I suggested will work. The typical wiggy wouldn't because most of them won't register less than 80VDC. The one Iisted is good down to 6VDC.

I'm at a loss as to why the company believes that rectified AC is somehow magical, unless what they are getting at is that it's only half bridge rectified as you alluded to and the output is unstable.


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I'm using a meter very similar to what George posted, but the issue is that it difficult to see with no backlighting, or lighted digits. I might not understand, but can't see how the Vol-Con or an anolog meter would be usable for an anodizer.....subtle color differences occur at as little as 1/2 volt, so a digital that reads to the 1/10 of a volt seem necessary to me.

Ken: I can send you one of the meters I have if you wanna play with it.....just shoot me a PM with your shipping address.
 
Ed, PM on the way.

John, I looked at this meter on ebay: Ideal Vol-Con XL 61-086 Voltage/Continuity Tester Meter elink: http://www.ebay.com/itm/381319651100? and while it does say "6 to 600" I think it'd have a hard time showing only 6 volts. Just won't work for what Ed's looking for - as he says, needs 1/10th volt resolution.

George's link gave me: "Whoa! We have suddenly become very popular and are experiencing high load. Please try back soon!" so I've not been able to see the meter... yet.

Ken H>
 
KenH said:
as he says, needs 1/10th volt resolution.



Ken H>
Click to expand...

OOPS! I totally missed that. I thought he was just looking for a voltage present and couldn't read the LCD on his meter. Yeah, nothing approaching 1/10 of anything on a wiggy! Sorry, Ed! My mistake.
 
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