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Voltage Stabilizer Help Needed


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#16 noeman

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Posted 18 January 2019 - 09:39 AM

Thank you for your reply. Is there a way to test my gauges?
Is that 200 miliamps per gauge, it total 400 miliamps draw?
The data sheet for the LM6810 shows max output of 1amp if I'm reading right so 400 miliamps should be ok.
I've got a new regulator chip coming, so with that in situ I'll test my gauges to see what the draw is and if it exceeds.

Edited by noeman, 18 January 2019 - 11:21 AM.


#17 Icey

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Posted 18 January 2019 - 04:43 PM

I've put a lot of current through the LM chips with and without heatsinks to the point I've burnt my fingers on them....not managed to kill one though. I suspect something is causing a short, while the LMs are good at dealing with abuse they have their limits.



#18 Spider

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Posted 18 January 2019 - 05:59 PM

Thank you for your reply. Is there a way to test my gauges?
Is that 200 miliamps per gauge, it total 400 miliamps draw?
The data sheet for the LM6810 shows max output of 1amp if I'm reading right so 400 miliamps should be ok.
I've got a new regulator chip coming, so with that in situ I'll test my gauges to see what the draw is and if it exceeds.

 

Yes, that's around 400 milliamps for both gauges and this is only when the Fuel Gauge reads full and the Temp Gauge, Hot, under these readings it's less current.

 

I would suggest for starters, measuring the current taken by each Gauge (which will likely be a fiddle) but the problem may also be intermittent.

 

I just can't think of anything else it would be, but I've not (yet) seen an issue with Gauges like this either.



#19 noeman

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Posted 19 January 2019 - 09:06 AM

I shall certainly do some tests once my new regulator comes just out of curiosity.
But if it is an intermittent problem, it'll be hard to trace.
I'm thinking of getting a 2nd hand cluster and swapping out the gauges in to mine with a new regulator wired in just for peace of mind.

#20 Spider

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Posted 19 January 2019 - 05:32 PM

One other thing did spring to mind here.

 

It may also be the Fuel Tank Sender. These should go from 280 - 300 ohms empty to 18 - 15 ohms at full. If it goes to zero at full, it could cause the fuel gauge to draw excessive current. If your sender will go to zero ohms, you won't have needed a full tank to get it there, as driving around with around 3/4 of a tank will make it splosh up to full often enough.

 

If you find this is a possible issue,  there is an adjustment on the sender for it.



#21 noeman

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Posted 21 January 2019 - 05:13 PM

Got my new regulator today and wired it in. The gauges seem to be working gain :)

I tested few things though;
Combined gauges with fuel tank reading half full and temp reading cold was 218 milliamps.
Fuel sender is 88 ohms at half full.
Do those readings sound about right?

Cheers

#22 Spider

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Posted 21 January 2019 - 05:47 PM

Got my new regulator today and wired it in. The gauges seem to be working gain :)

I tested few things though;
Combined gauges with fuel tank reading half full and temp reading cold was 218 milliamps.
Fuel sender is 88 ohms at half full.
Do those readings sound about right?

Cheers

 

Off hand, they do sound about right. Nothing in those numbers pokes me in the eye.

 

Also, have you fitted the 2 small capacitors as suggested in the other thread?



#23 noeman

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Posted 21 January 2019 - 07:20 PM

To be honest out of laziness I've not fitted the capacitors. But I've got a couple 104 caps (0.1uf I believe) will they be sufficient?
One on input and earth and the other output and earth? Also you say they are polarised? How would I know what way round?
By my understanding does the one on the input protect it from spikes and electronic noise and on the output helps regulate from the regulator?
Thanks again

#24 Spider

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Posted 22 January 2019 - 04:36 AM

They would be ~ OK ~ on the output and those wouldn't be polarised, however, they are too small for the input. You really want a minimum of 1 uF here and at that size, they would most likely be polarised.

 

Usually, the -ve wire on the is marked as such on the case.






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