DVA / Peak Volt Tester

[khenry]

Can a Peak voltage Tester made by Ignition Mate do the same testing as a DVA meter? I have a Peak volt tester that I have not used, because I don't know how to operate it. The directions don't say much and I don't understand them anyways! But want to learn it real bad. Also would the measurements taken be the same for both of them? I never used a DVA meter also, but have some electrical experience. I would really appreciate any and all help on how to set up and use this peak volt tester.

Thank you for your time, Kevin

 

[wire2]

Re: DVA / Peak Volt Tester

The receptacles in your house typically have an RMS (Root Means Square) value of 115 volts AC. it's another way of saying "effective" value.

AC voltage consists of a sine wave, making 60 cycles per second, (50 in Europe)
The RMS value is 70.7% of the peak value, so peak voltage is ~141 volts. Calculations are made with trigonometry.

All of which means nothing to the average person. An electrical engineer designing lighting ballasts, power supplies, or other AC equipment needs to take it into account.

Are you still wanting to use it?

EDIT; I just saw the name "Ignition Mate" in your OP. Is this unit for measuring the high voltage of an ignition system? If so, it's not a typical peak reading voltmeter, ignore the above.

 

[rwidman]

Re: DVA / Peak Volt Tester

Can a Peak voltage Tester made by Ignition Mate do the same testing as a DVA meter? I have a Peak volt tester that I have not used, because I don't know how to operate it. The directions don't say much and I don't understand them anyways! But want to learn it real bad. Also would the measurements taken be the same for both of them? I never used a DVA meter also, but have some electrical experience. I would really appreciate any and all help on how to set up and use this peak volt tester.

Thank you for your time, Kevin

Test equipment is a lot like musical instruments. Anyone can buy them, but they aren't much good unless you know how to use them.

You have a meter and the instructions but you don't understamd the instructions.

What you need is a class in basic electrical theory. After that, you may be able to understand the instructions for your meter.

That said, your boat's wiring (except for shorepower) is 12 volt DC so there are no "peaks" to measure. You can buy a digital VOM at Harbor Freight for under $10.00. It will be accurate enough to troubleshoot boat wiring. You will still need some education to learn how to use it and what to measure.

 

[rodbolt]

Re: DVA / Peak Volt Tester

yes there are peaks to measure on the engine.
most specs for lighting coils,stator charge coils,pulser coil outputs and CDI outputs/ign coil primary inputs are in peak voltage dc measurements.
can you post the brand name and model of your meter and what are you wishing to test.
for the non-belivers among us, hook up a standard DC voltmeter on the ign coil positive primary input, take a reading with the engine running. now run the same test with a peak reading meter. you will be amazed.

 

[wire2]

Re: DVA / Peak Volt Tester

Their site has video instructions in several languages;
http://www.ignitionmate.com/

 

[TerryMSU]

Re: DVA / Peak Volt Tester

Test equipment is a lot like musical instruments. Anyone can buy them, but they aren't much good unless you know how to use them.

You have a meter and the instructions but you don't understamd the instructions.

What you need is a class in basic electrical theory. After that, you may be able to understand the instructions for your meter.

That said, your boat's wiring (except for shorepower) is 12 volt DC so there are no "peaks" to measure. You can buy a digital VOM at Harbor Freight for under $10.00. It will be accurate enough to troubleshoot boat wiring. You will still need some education to learn how to use it and what to measure.

Ron is mostly correct as far as his answer goes. Most boat wiring is 12VDC. Unfortunately, Kevin is looking at trouble shooting engine ignition wiring. That part of the boat's electrical system is definately NOT 12 VDC.

TerryMSU

 

[wire2]

Re: DVA / Peak Volt Tester

.... trouble shooting engine ignition wiring. That part of the boat's electrical system is definitely NOT 12 VDC.

TerryMSU

Well, that's debatable.

Any ignition coil is supplied by the 12VDC coming from the battery. The + side is in series with a resister (except during cranking) to limit current and heat.
While you can't read the actual voltage to the coil of a running motor with a digital or analog meter, an oscilloscope will display a constant DC voltage for the duration that the points are closed. The pulses will be a square wave, no peaks.

I will concede that the secondary winding puts out a peak voltage. But it's initiated by the switched 12VDC (minus resistor drop) of the primary.

 

[khenry]

Re: DVA / Peak Volt Tester

Thank you all for the info. that you have given. I do understand the basics of electronics and electronic components. I dont want to bore you but, In the past 30 years I have worked on auto, aerospace, bikes, home and HVAC. I am no expert in any of them, but can usually troubleshot them.
I have not used or have a DVA meter, and my Yamaha manual calls for DVA and gives the readings you should get in DVA. The Ignition Mate measures kV, Vpk, kV. My question is, if the manual call for a 2.5 Volts minimum with a DVA, what would this reading be with the Ignition Mate, or how would I convert?
Thank you Rodbolt for the back up.
All components that call for DVA I would test with the ignition mate TS-91.

Thank you for your time.

 

[Haffiman]

Re: DVA / Peak Volt Tester

Most of the lower priced DVA meters are analog, old type needle moving.
They have, normally, no delay in the readings and makes it possible to read of the max in an AC sinus curve.
In your case it should go from 0 to min 2,5 and then back to 0 again.
Most digital meters are not continuous reading/displaying. This ends up that usin the AC function on a digital meter it will go 'in steps' displaying measured voltage. However you do not know where on the sinus wave your steps are. You might be lucky and hit the 'peak', you might miss.

From the Ignition Mate website:
Select the ORANGE 10, 40 or 400Vpk scales and use the RED & BLACK probes to measure primary signals between the ICU and the power supply (battery or charge coil), timing pick-up (pulse coil or hall sensor), ignition coil and switches (key, emergency stop, footstand, throttle).

This indicates it may be used, in your case on the 10 scale. It is all a question of how 'continues' it reads.
Test and see.

 

[khenry]

Re: DVA / Peak Volt Tester

Thank you, I will give it a try in the morning.
I guess the best way to do is, find a motor that is known good and take readings then compare? Thanks again for your help

 

[rwidman]

Re: DVA / Peak Volt Tester

Thank you all for the info. that you have given. I do understand the basics of electronics and electronic components. I dont want to bore you but, In the past 30 years I have worked on auto, aerospace, bikes, home and HVAC. I am no expert in any of them, but can usually troubleshot them.
I have not used or have a DVA meter, and my Yamaha manual calls for DVA and gives the readings you should get in DVA. The Ignition Mate measures kV, Vpk, kV. My question is, if the manual call for a 2.5 Volts minimum with a DVA, what would this reading be with the Ignition Mate, or how would I convert?
Thank you Rodbolt for the back up.
All components that call for DVA I would test with the ignition mate TS-91.

Thank you for your time.

I think the problem is, your first post seemed to indicate that you were just trying to learn how to operate a meter, but subsequent posts lead me to believe you are trying to diagnose a problem on an engine.

From this post, it appears that the meter you are talking about is a specialized meter for reading high voltages in an engine's ignition circuit (coil, spark plugs, etc.), yet you are trying to measure a low DC voltage with it. For this, you will need a standard VOM. Digital or analog, it makes no difference as long as you know how to use it and where to place the probes. There are advantages and disadvantages to each, but for most folks, it doesn't matter. A digital meter is easier for a less technical person to use and read.

 

[rwidman]

Re: DVA / Peak Volt Tester

........I have not used or have a DVA meter, and my Yamaha manual calls for DVA and gives the readings you should get in DVA. ............

You can start here ($3.49):

http://www.harborfreight.com/7-function-digital-multimeter-90899.html

and work up, depending on what you feel you can afford. Your work will be no better than your tools. Personally I would spring for a better one:

http://www.harborfreight.com/ac-dc-digital-multimeter-37772.html

 

[Haffiman]

Re: DVA / Peak Volt Tester

You need to add this:

If you want a correct reading from an ordinary digital multimeter

 

[khenry]

Re: DVA / Peak Volt Tester

RWIDMAN you are correct and sorry for misleading. I have not used my ignitionmate and not familiar with it, and I guess looking for advise and direction from someone that has. I have volt meters, but do me no good with DVA unless I get the adapter for it. Bottom line is, I have a $400.00 meter sitting around and pissed off at myself for buying it and not using it.