Simple Battery Probe
Do you ever wonder what the status is of individual cells (AA or AAA) when several of these are connected in series like in many portable radios or toys?
Do you ever wonder what the status is of individual cells (AA or AAA) when several of these are connected in series like in many portable radios or toys?
To measure this, I took two strips of bronze of which I isolated one side with tape. Then I soldered a wire at the end of each strip and isolated it with shrink tube. At the other end of each wire a socket is connected that allows easy insertion of a multimeter probe. See the photos to get a good idea of how the strips are supposed to be used.
This small part has proofed its usefulness over the years; the only problem is to remember where you put it the last time you used it.
Discussie (1 opmerking(en))
Jens Middendorf 11 jaar geleden
I am not sure, but i think there was a similar Tip in earlier Elektors or in it's sister mag Elex, earlier as in 'i think in the mid to end 80's'.
I have such a probe at home, but lose track of it sometimes.
It consists of a small piece of double sides PCB. I have filed one side so it is sharp (not like a knife, but you know what i mean).
The two wires from old probes are directly soldered to it.
You can plug it directly in between any battery (AA, C and D, if you make it smaller it will work also fo AAA), and the contact is stable because of the force from the battery pack spring, and then soldered wires with 4mm plugs do the rest.
Also useful to insert fuses for testing/repair.