I wanted to see my charging state on the 65 as I didn't install a voltmeter. I know Carl has done this before, and it's a good solution that covers both needs in a elegant way. The cigarette lighter is kind of redundant anyways.
No idea on the parasitic drain it might put on the battery, but I'm assuming it's low with nothing charging. If it does run the battery down significantly over time, I'll install a ignition switched relay to the lighter feed.
I've had mine a few years now and love it. I love that I could unhook the factory fire hazard (ammeter) and still have a way to monitor my charging system. I also love it because it has the USB ports.
I didn't try it with the outlet live like you are Mark. Just wired an ignition switched relay into the socket power wire (as you mentioned) before I started using it.
A volt meter is so much nicer than an ammeter...
__________________
1966 Strato Chief 2 door, 427 4 speed, 45,000 original miles
1966 Grande Parisienne, 396 1 of 23 factory air cars
I have one that also has a bluetooth retransmitter for my phone. It displays voltage but also allows hands free use of my phone or allows me to listen to music or podcasts through my FM radio. Works fantastic. Was only $23 on Amazon
I love that, what a cool idea, a Voltmeter and USB in one, genius! Silly question but what is closest/easiest switched feed for relay and did you just use the original lighter 'always on' wire for the power feed to relay?
In my case...the closest to the lighter would be the radio power feed for the trigger. But the male ACC switched terminal on the fuseblock would be easier to connect to.
I'll cut the heavy wire to the lighter feed, use the feed end for relay power in, connect the other (lighter end) to the relay output. Then a ground, and the switched trigger input.
__________________
65 Laurentian post, 67 Grande Parisienne 4 door HT.
I love that, what a cool idea, a Voltmeter and USB in one, genius! Silly question but what is closest/easiest switched feed for relay and did you just use the original lighter 'always on' wire for the power feed to relay?
It seems to me I used the "IGN" terminal on my fusebox that wasn't being used. Yes, I just used the original wire for the lighter socket. As I recall, I didn't chop the end off it, rather plugged a short home made adapter wire into it so if I ever want to put my lighter back to original configuration it will be 1-2-3 done.
__________________
1966 Strato Chief 2 door, 427 4 speed, 45,000 original miles
1966 Grande Parisienne, 396 1 of 23 factory air cars
Not that the USB charger would need anything resembling the current the lighter wire could carry, but it's still good to keep it way over rated. Hence using the original feed.
__________________
65 Laurentian post, 67 Grande Parisienne 4 door HT.
Once I saw Carl's when I visited him after buying the Beaumont I got one for the that car. Again, cheap and very useful. I actually should get one for each of my old tubs as it tells you a lot of info for very little money. When you want to go totally original looking, just pop it out of the lighter and stuff the lighter back in.
I have 2 buddies who are using them in their side by sides. Both of them had unexpected charging issues (that stranded one) that did not show up as a warning on the dash cluster. Seeing the charging state earlier might have prevented a 30 kilometer trailer out for the one machine. Both machines had failed stators.
__________________
65 Laurentian post, 67 Grande Parisienne 4 door HT.
Do you guys ever brouse Amazon for all these little neat little gadgets, follow the recommended and "buyer also purchased" path below, wind down that rabbit hole and find an item you think you can make use of even though you don't need it?
These kind of things will do that. You could spend countless hours looking at all the slick and perfectly illustrated listings (and the bad engrish lol). I'm sure it's by design. It's amazing the stuff (I'm reluctant to call it all crap anymore, although most of it surely is) coming out of china these days. My god, they make everything now. Absolutely everything.
Imagine some small item your thinking about and type it in. Find it, and with one click it arrives at your door tomorrow. Hmmm.
. End rant
__________________
65 Laurentian post, 67 Grande Parisienne 4 door HT.
I see Mark says not easy but maybe mine is brighter? I find it very easy to read on the road. I glance at it often while I'm driving. The one I have does a rotation between volts, temperature and charging amps (of whatever is plugged in to the USB ports). Each of the 3 is displayed I would guess about 2-3 seconds before it moves on to the next of the 3 items being monitored.
__________________
1966 Strato Chief 2 door, 427 4 speed, 45,000 original miles
1966 Grande Parisienne, 396 1 of 23 factory air cars
I have 3 of these but slightly different to the one pictured. The first one purchased for use in one of our aircraft, mainly for the USBs. I liked it so much I bought 2 more, for use both in the air and on the road. I paid extra for higher USB output and because they came from a reputable source.
What I don't get (because I'm electronically brain deficit) is how something that cannot give more than a very low current and is designed for 12 volt sockets needs a relay, or is it just that the sockets should have had relays in the first place?
What I don't get (because I'm electronically brain deficit) is how something that cannot give more than a very low current and is designed for 12 volt sockets needs a relay, or is it just that the sockets should have had relays in the first place?
If you ever decide to take up smoking, you'll want the original 14g, alway live wire back on the lighter socket. It's junctioned off a 12g feed wire . The relay addition keeps this, and makes it ign switched so you can have both, and allow the gizmo to turn off when not in the car.
While it would take 2 seconds to run a 14g (or even 12g) wire off the acc switched to the socket , if you plug in the lighter and test it to hot even for fun (c'mon, we all do it), there is a chance you'd blow the fuse.
Plus, I just like messing around with relays (which is probably more of the truth). Cheers.
__________________
65 Laurentian post, 67 Grande Parisienne 4 door HT.
