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Voltmeter

Posted: Wed Mar 05, 2008 2:42 pm
by mrbenn
Quick question if I may; got a voltmeter from eBay today. I can't get the thing to work.

I have tried connecting to the live side of the fusebox, the ignition side and even to the battery, + to positive and - to negative of course. I can't get the thing to move, not one bit.

Does it sound faulty or am I doing something stupid?! Its originally from an 80's Jaguar if it matters.

Cheers

Posted: Wed Mar 05, 2008 6:00 pm
by MoggyTech
Sounds faulty I'm afraid.

Posted: Wed Mar 05, 2008 8:17 pm
by mrbenn
Thanks for confirming.

Posted: Wed Mar 05, 2008 8:28 pm
by bmcecosse
They take a while to come up - hot wire instrument - so give it a few minutes!

Posted: Wed Mar 05, 2008 8:39 pm
by mrbenn
Thanks for the tip. I have sent a pleasant email to the seller so will see what he says. In the meantime I will have another go at it tomorrow and give it more time!

Thanks.

Posted: Thu Mar 06, 2008 11:29 am
by mrbenn
An update! Bit embarassing actually :oops:

I plugged the gauge in again this morning and left it for about 15 seconds. The needle suddenly started to move and ended up at the correct position! The needle seemed to release suddenly, and on subsequent connection moved much more quickly.

Maybe the gauge had a bump in the post causing the needle to stick briefly, I don't know. What I do know is that I was ignorant of exactly how it was meant to work :roll:

The seller replied to my e-mail of last night immediately with apologies and a full refund. Naturally I have paid him again and apologised for my error.

Thanks for your help chaps.

Posted: Thu Mar 06, 2008 12:48 pm
by Orkney
Nice one !
Good for the seller for refunding you so sharply and good for you for not ripping him off.

Glad you asked about this as have a new one still in it's blister pack to be fitted in a few months, no doubt would have done the same and come to the same assumption but no way carting it back to the shop i bought it from in germany 5 years ago :-)

Posted: Thu Mar 06, 2008 3:03 pm
by mrbenn
Thanks :wink:

Glad my experience may prove useful, I know I have learnt a lot from others on here already!