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Thad in AR. 
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Location: Arkansas
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 Topic: Electronics help needed
Posted: 22 Jul 2024 at 11:25am |
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I have a Digatron digital tach that I need to install.
I opened it up to replace the batteries and the old ones were very corroded and
Ruined the battery holder.
It uses 4 AA batteries in parallel
I figure this makes 6 volts???
Can I temporarily hook this to a 6 volt automotive battery charger to test it?
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steve(ill)
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Location: illinois
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Posted: 22 Jul 2024 at 12:35pm |
you have 4 batteries in SERIES... so they are all connected end to end POSITIVE to NEGATIVE ??? so plus - minus - plus- minus- plus - minus --- you add them up to get 6 volts.. Yes, one battery will work.. a battery CHARGER might be putting out 8-9 volts when NOT CONNECTED to a battery... that COULD be a little too much... do you have a way to test the charger output ?? .... If not, take 4 small A or C or D batteries and put them in a small pvc pipe... connect a wire to both ends.
Edited by steve(ill) - 22 Jul 2024 at 12:43pm
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Like them all, but love the "B"s.
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DMiller
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Posted: 22 Jul 2024 at 12:45pm |
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Nearly all Modern Electronics operate off 6V Negligible Amps, battery Charger could wreck the tack.
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Thad in AR.
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Posted: 22 Jul 2024 at 1:52pm |
 DMiller wrote:
Nearly all Modern Electronics operate off 6V Negligible Amps, battery Charger could wreck the tack. |
That’s what I m afraid of.
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Thad in AR.
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Posted: 22 Jul 2024 at 1:55pm |
steve(ill) wrote:
you have 4 batteries in SERIES... so they are all connected end to end POSITIVE to NEGATIVE ??? so plus - minus - plus- minus- plus - minus --- you add them up to get 6 volts.. Yes, one battery will work.. a battery CHARGER might be putting out 8-9 volts when NOT CONNECTED to a battery... that COULD be a little too much... do you have a way to test the charger output ?? .... If not, take 4 small A or C or D batteries and put them in a small pvc pipe... connect a wire to both ends.
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I think I have it backwards It’s in a series. The charger does have a 2 amp setting. I don’t know if that’s too much or not. I have a meter and can test it. Maybe I’ll tape some batteries in a series and test it that way.
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steve(ill)
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Posted: 22 Jul 2024 at 4:07pm |
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tape the batteries together... The CHARGER dont care about the 2 amps... I might put out 8-9 VOLTS... The BATTERY acts as a voltage regulator on a battery charger.
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Like them all, but love the "B"s.
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Thad in AR.
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Posted: 25 Jul 2024 at 6:03am |
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I removed the old battery holder and they are in series.
I taped four batteries together and made up a temp battery holder. The tach will power up but dies instantly.
I think it’s junk.
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jaybmiller
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Posted: 25 Jul 2024 at 6:14am |
tach might be OK...
measure the voltage of your 'battery pack' when connected to tach. should be 6 volts,with tach off or on
you might have a bum battery.....
old skool '6 volt lantern battery' would power the tach......
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3 D-14s,A-C forklift, B-112
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DaveKamp
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Posted: 25 Jul 2024 at 5:35pm |
Thad- can you send the battery holder (or the whole thing) to me?
I can 3D print or CNC cut a replacement... or if you need it adapted to run off another power source, I can make an adapter circuit that fits inside the battery holder.
I've been printing new holders for lots of my stuff to use an 18650 rechargable battery pack. I made a battery spot-welder several years ago, man- it has saved me lots of headaches... 
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Ten Amendments, Ten Commandments, and one Golden Rule solve most every problem. Citrus hand-cleaner with Pumice does the rest.
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Thad in AR.
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Posted: 25 Jul 2024 at 7:12pm |
DaveKamp wrote:
Thad- can you send the battery holder (or the whole thing) to me?
I can 3D print or CNC cut a replacement... or if you need it adapted to run off another power source, I can make an adapter circuit that fits inside the battery holder.
I've been printing new holders for lots of my stuff to use an 18650 rechargable battery pack. I made a battery spot-welder several years ago, man- it has saved me lots of headaches... |
Dave it’s off of a racing gokart. It’s an older Digatron tachometer. I’d gladly send it to you but not sure it’s worth the trouble?
Edited by Thad in AR. - 25 Jul 2024 at 7:14pm
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Thad in AR.
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Posted: 25 Jul 2024 at 7:15pm |
jaybmiller wrote:
tach might be OK...
measure the voltage of your 'battery pack' when connected to tach. should be 6 volts,with tach off or on
you might have a bum battery.....
old skool '6 volt lantern battery' would power the tach......
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will test the batteries tomorrow night.
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Thad in AR.
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Posted: 25 Jul 2024 at 7:19pm |
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I have found cheap battery holders on line that would work. I just want to know if the tach is junk before I go farther.
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DaveKamp
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Posted: 25 Jul 2024 at 9:42pm |
I wouldn't suggest using a battery charger as your power test source, because it will most likely generate a very high amount of AC ripple which will result in overvoltage to the tach's processor AND a terrible amount of noise... might damage it.
Either Jay's suggestion (6v lantern battery) or a regulated adjustable DC workbench supply.... not the kind of thing you'd find at a big-box store, but if you ask around your area for a HAM Radio guy, you'll find someone that has one, and most of the time, they'll tell you to bring the tach over, and they'll even set it up for a test... (that's what I'd do)
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Ten Amendments, Ten Commandments, and one Golden Rule solve most every problem. Citrus hand-cleaner with Pumice does the rest.
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Thad in AR.
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Posted: 10 Aug 2024 at 6:00pm |
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Guys I wound up with another DT32 Digatron tach.
This one seems a little nicer than my old one.
I put 4 Aa batteries in and it powered up.
I hooked it up temporary and it works as it should.
I’m not able to clear the recall but it shuts of quickly if it gets no input and it clears itself.
I really need to clean the springs and battery contacts in this battery holder. They are t ate up but sure show signs of corrosion.
What works on disposable battery corrosion?
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jaybmiller
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Posted: 11 Aug 2024 at 6:32am |
Ideally you replace the battery holder IF it's a separate piece. If molded in, replace the springy terminals, last hope, very fine sandpaper,then 'tin' the terminals.
You may need to replace the wires, if the acid's eaten them as well.
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3 D-14s,A-C forklift, B-112
Kubota BX23S lil' TOOT( The Other Orange Tractor)
Never burn your bridges, unless you can walk on water
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Thad in AR.
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Posted: 11 Aug 2024 at 6:44am |
jaybmiller wrote:
Ideally you replace the battery holder IF it's a separate piece. If molded in, replace the springy terminals, last hope, very fine sandpaper,then 'tin' the terminals.
You may need to replace the wires, if the acid's eaten them as well.
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The battery holder is a separate piece. I think this one is good enough to save. It works as is I’d just like to clean it up some.
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steve(ill)
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Posted: 11 Aug 2024 at 6:57am |
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baking soda mixed with water will clean up the GREEN CRUD on an auto battery... I think i would try thak.. mix it a little thick and dab on with a paint brush... let set for a minute, then wash off and blow off with an air gun. ....... you can flush off with Contact Cleaner after that.
Edited by steve(ill) - 11 Aug 2024 at 6:57am
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Like them all, but love the "B"s.
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jaybmiller
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Posted: 11 Aug 2024 at 7:09am |
separate ? No brainer...REPLACE it !! Only a couple bucks. OK, $2.48 CDN...just checked. I have 3 or 4 in basement...just in case.
That green crud doesn't come off the nickel/copper connectors very easily ! Once it is 'off', you've also scrapped off the nickel plating used for GREAT electrical connection,so random PITA problems can come up......
Edited by jaybmiller - 11 Aug 2024 at 7:12am
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3 D-14s,A-C forklift, B-112
Kubota BX23S lil' TOOT( The Other Orange Tractor)
Never burn your bridges, unless you can walk on water
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Thad in AR.
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Joined: 12 Sep 2009
Location: Arkansas
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Posted: 11 Aug 2024 at 11:30am |
jaybmiller wrote:
separate ? No brainer...REPLACE it !! Only a couple bucks. OK, $2.48 CDN...just checked. I have 3 or 4 in basement...just in case.
That green crud doesn't come off the nickel/copper connectors very easily ! Once it is 'off', you've also scrapped off the nickel plating used for GREAT electrical connection,so random PITA problems can come up......
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Yes sir I figure you’re correct. I think I’ll order a new one.
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