Low Solarmeter Battery.

[Natureboy]

I can't see that it would, but if you battery was low on your 5.0 solarmeter, would it give you lower or incorrect readings?

I know I can just change it, but curious.

[Rob]

Steve told me that it would do that. He said look at the dot, if its dim, its time to change the battery.

[solarmeter®]

The readings should stay the same from 9V down to about 6V. After that... as the enunciators and decimal point become dim - there might be a slight increase in readings. Then when the actual numbers get dim the battery is toast and the readings will go bonkers.

Just change it if unsure. Or at least check it with a radio shack voltmeter under load (with button held on).

Older meters had a "batt" ennunciator that is supposed to go on around 6 volts... but it was unreliable and used too many components - so I got rid of it.

[EliteMike]

Do you actually design these things??

[solarmeter®]

Pretty much....

[Drew]

Steve puts really cheap 99 cent store batteries in those meters new. He won't ever be on a duracell comercial.

The first low battery meter I had gave me frigging fits. Thought the bed was F'ed up etc......would meter at X...then do down down down....

You know the drill...put the battery terminals on your tounge. Steves won't even make you jump if the meter is a couple years old.

[solarmeter®]

Yeah BUT.... my Chinese non-alkaline 35-cent battery still lasts about 4+ years. It I put a $5 Duracell in it... I'd have to raise meter prices at least 10 bucks. Not worth it. The Eveready Bunnies only last about 5 years. Duracell ~ 5.4 years.

The 99 cent store batteries only cost 35 cents if you buy 500 at a time. See how the dollar stores make money haha.

[frankie]

I bought some Dollar Store batteries the other week and they did not even work. Are you saying your meters might not work either??

[solarmeter®]

Never buy any batteries without date codes. You probably got some 6 year old ones at the dollar store.

On a 9V batt the date is on the bottom. Mine are "fresh" and will last many years because the meters draw such tiny current. They actually come from a mammoth B to B wholesaler in CA who receives boatloads from China... not from a 99 cent store.

Meters, of course, are calibrated and tested before shipping - so of course the battery "works". I did find one dud out of ~22000 over the last decade.

[Natureboy]

What you need to do is make the solar powered just like a calculator. Just stick them in the bed, and more than enough power.

[Natureboy]

Originally Posted by Natureboy

What you need to do is make the solar powered just like a calculator. Just stick them in the bed, and more than enough power.

Isn't this possible? Or do they need a nine volt because they draw so much?