IR Temp reader & Cig' Lighter Volt Meter
 

I hope this question is in keeping with the tenor of this tech forum, but this is more of a tool question.

Can anyone recommend a product (and source) for 2 things I've seen sometimes in threads here?

I want 2 things : a handheld IR temp gauge and a volt meter for the cigarette lighter.

I either couldn't find them at FLAPs around here or they were ludicrously priced.
Online, the shipping can be just as costly.

I didn't check Harbor freight - would they be any good anyway?
I don't need lab-grade, but I don't want crap either.

Many thanks

I saw this unit posted in another thread some time ago. Never got around to buying it.

Amazon.com: Prime Products 12-2020 12 Volt Digital Meter: Automotive

I saw one of the cheap volt meters that plug into the cigarette lighter socket on some forum, and went to e-bay to find one. Found a deal of five for $14 including shipping. They all worked. I think that there is a little variability in them, but once you use them for a while I think that they will be good to spot a bad trend.

Note that on my SUV, the reading will be different if I have the fan/vent going or not and I think that since they are in the cabin, a ways from the battery, there is some voltage drop, so the readings may seem a little low. Just need to figure out what is normal for your car and watch for a change.

Thanks guys, I appreciate the info.

I just saw this thread posted recently too - maybe I will go wil a more permanent solution.
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/porsche-911-technical-forum/821070-show-me-pics-volt-gage-install.html

For general purposes, the lighter may be an OK place to check voltage, but it wouldn't be my first choice as a tech. It's too far from anyplace where the reading would be really accurate and meaningful. The link posted above should be pretty good for what you're doing. For the thermometer, I use one like this: Amazon.com: Raytek MT6 Non-contact MiniTemp Infrared Thermometer: Automotive. It's accurate, has a long battery life (I've put in maybe 2 batteries in 15 years) and well made. The $20 HF one can't possibly be anywhere near as good as this one, and you'd probably be throwing away your money. The temp range should be good for what you need. Won't read the oak coals in your BBQ, though .....................

The Cap'n

Thanks Cap'n.

Why wouldn't it do the BBQ? (Not that I need to.)
Are they hotter than the rated 500F of the thermometer?

Voltmeters are relatively simple circuits, thus inexpensive. One can compare the display readings of a gauge at the cig. lighter and at the battery with some test leads (idle and ~1500 rpm). If there's a difference, factor that in as "normal". The normal rule of thumb is about .1 voltage drop for each switch and/or spliced connection from the source.

Sherwood

I got cigarette volt meter from Amazon, about 1/2 the price that dan88911 purchased. It seems to work just fine. An in-dash solution wouldn't work for me as my clock just started working!!:D

Tom

I found one for cheap.

Link:

12V 24V Digital LED Display Volt Meter Auto Car Cigarette Lighter Voltage Gauge | eBay

At the center of the fire, maybe double the 500F limit on the IR thermometer .............. BTW, I've often seen the temperatures on the outlet side of a catalytic converter render the IR useless. Of course, that's a pretty good sign the cat is working!

The Cap'n

I have the Harbor Freight one and it works fine. Good battery life and good accuracy.....what more do I want?

wow - 3 bucks? That is cheap.

"What more"? Relief from the shame, maybe? LOL. Not the kind of tool I'd ever buy from them.

The Cap'n

noted.

I've used this for quite some time. Works well.

Amazon.com: INNOVA 3721 Battery and Charging System Monitor: Automotive

I have the same one. Seems to work pretty well for me.

I ordered this one, should be here soon.

And I ordered this one until I get around to installing something more permanent into the dash.