I missed your post so sorry about the late reply. I'm not familiar with this unit but I suspect that it does not handle low DC amps particularly well and its resolution may only be in 10s of mA. It may be cheap but it may not do what you need it to do.
SparkUK wrote:
Excellent post that Robbie, the fuse volt drop idea never ocurred to me
Thank-you and I hope it is useful for you.
Land Rover - Turning Drivers into Mechanics Since 1948
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1st Apr 2015 8:46 am
Robbie
Member Since: 05 Feb 2006
Location: ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
Posts: 17932
Time and technology wait for no one, so there may be better options out there now, but the clamp I am using is a fraction of the price you can pay for some high resolution DC amp clamps.
Out of the 2 examples, one appears to be an AC only amp clamp (so no good on DC car electrics) and the other only has 10mA resolution, rather than 1mA. Once you add the accuracy limitations the nominal amp draw of the vehicle would be below the measurable range.
A 10mA resolution DC clamp is good enough to find a major draw so has some utility and I carry one in my car toolkit; but for diagnostics you need something better. The 1mA resolution one I use is good enough for diagnostics, but there are better ones out there with more stable readings if you are willing to spend more.
Land Rover - Turning Drivers into Mechanics Since 1948
Clock/ SNOTM /3Flash / 4x4Info /BT Update /Service Reset/Error Codes / Gearbox Reset See It Here
1st Apr 2015 9:23 am
M3DPO
Member Since: 22 Sep 2010
Location: Notts.
Posts: 8221
+1 It can when others can't,
It will when others won't,
It goes where others don't.
1st Apr 2015 11:38 am
Robbie
Member Since: 05 Feb 2006
Location: ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
Posts: 17932
I've mentioned previously that I have seen a few D3s with poor battery ground leads or loose terminals that have triggered numerous issues. I spotted one the other day by seeing degraded system voltages on the IID, particularly with the FBH, when compared to the battery voltage.
The FBH voltage is shown here (bottom right) on a healthy D4, with the wider system voltages showing a typical amount of voltage drop when compared to the battery voltage:
Click image to enlarge
It's just something those with a diagnostic tool may notice when exploring live data.
Land Rover - Turning Drivers into Mechanics Since 1948
Member Since: 27 Dec 2014
Location: Brisbane
Posts: 18
This is an excellent guide and I'm inspired to collect together the kit to undertake this testing.
I'm looking for feedback on a couple of items.
1) Amp Clamp
I am considering this Amp Clamp (#687) by Electronic Specialties Inc (ES):
http://esitest.com/687.html
It has the recommended 1mA resolution and also includes a DMM for a similar price to the Di-Log DL6506 featured in Robbie's guide.
http://www.dilog.co.uk/_cm_DL6506.htm
However the clamp opening size is 5/8" (15.9mm) which is smaller than the DL6506 opening of 18mm.
I'm wondering whether this opening will be big enough to suit the large cables (alternator & main cable to BJB) ?
I'll measure the cables but wondered if anyone had direct experience.
Click image to enlarge
2) Testing Wire Loop
My idea to create a less expensive current loop is to use one of these fuse adapters:
And attach an in-line fuse holder to make the loop:
Click image to enlarge
with crimped spade connectors:
For the larger JCASE fuses, I'm thinking to use the same thing but with a larger in-line fuse.
That is, similar to the one in Robbies's guide but just using a larger wedge fuse of same capacity in lieu of the JCASE.
I haven't had much luck finding an actual JCASE in-line holder but think this option should be just as good.
These bits will add up to less than 20 quid for both (mini & JCASE).
Regards,
Scott
Admin note: this post has had its images recovered from a money grabbing photo hosting site and reinstated
18th Feb 2016 6:05 am
Robbie
Member Since: 05 Feb 2006
Location: ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
Posts: 17932
I was kindly sent this link which adds a few top tips to my guide on checking the mV across the fuses:
Land Rover - Turning Drivers into Mechanics Since 1948
Member Since: 16 Dec 2017
Location: Maryland
Posts: 9
Alternator code po622 fault new alternator. Low battery
Thanks for this excellent article. I have a D3 that i have a battery light on with it charging 13.6 when running. I know now that code is active with KOEO and a good battery volts are just under 12volts if sitting overnight or for a few days. Will use some of these tests to eliminate current drain as possible issue. Not allowing Alt to turn on
15th Jan 2018 2:51 pm
Chris1969
Member Since: 21 Jun 2011
Location: North Worcestershire (not far from Redditch)
Posts: 385
Hi all...
Just as an add on to this excellent post by Robbie, just wondered if there is a way to do these tests with a dmm rather than buying a clamp?
Only ask because a clamp isn't something I'm really going to use other than to see if I have a drain and a decent one that does 1ma is around the £100 mark.
I've got a dmm so I'm hoping I can use it, albeit maybe in a slightly different way but for me to at l3ats see if there is a drain.
Thanks all 👍🏻.. still learning )
Isofix car seat, Isofix baby seat base, crushed carpet crisps, sticky leather seats (next to Isofix car seat), upgraded front rubber cup holder things, wired up USB charge and audio for my iphone, side steps, de-tango'd lights, H7 OSRAM Nighbreakers, LED side lights, LED reverse lights, clear repeaters, Narpy Grill... tools I don't know how to use.... yet..
20th Oct 2018 12:25 pm
thisandy
Member Since: 28 Jan 2018
Location: Pembrokeshire
Posts: 307
Hi,just wanted to say a big thank you to all members on here especially Robbie and Bodsy without whos help my d4 would not be the perfect vehicle it is today.
Thanks
Andy
27th Oct 2018 3:53 pm
Pete K
Member Since: 15 Jan 2016
Location: GL
Posts: 10672
You can get clamps from £10
27th Oct 2018 5:15 pm
Robbie
Member Since: 05 Feb 2006
Location: ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
Posts: 17932
thisandy wrote:
Hi,just wanted to say a big thank you to all members on here especially Robbie and Bodsy without whos help my d4 would not be the perfect vehicle it is today.
Thanks
Andy
Land Rover - Turning Drivers into Mechanics Since 1948
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