Date:         Tue, 22 Jun 2004 10:13:23 -0400
Reply-To:     Tim Demarest <tim.demarest@POBOX.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Tim Demarest <tim.demarest@POBOX.COM>
Subject:      Re: product report
Comments: To: vw4x4@FYI.NET
In-Reply-To:  <40D832DC.4080204@fyi.net>
Content-type: text/plain; charset=iso-8859-1; format=flowed

Actually, it has a digital readout for the voltage... There's a little 
"mode" button that lets you cycle what is displayed in the two digital 
readouts. I recently installed one of these in my Westy (with the "outside 
temp" sensor inside my Fridge). It's a nice handy addition, but there are a 
couple of annoying things about it:

1. Mine had about a 4 degree F difference between the "inside" and 
"outside" temps when the unit was sitting on a table, and both sensors 
should have shown the same temperature. There is no way to calibrate 
these... you get what you get.

2. When on internal battery power (2 AAA batteries), the backlight only 
comes on when you push the big button on the right. Unfortunately, when the 
unit is attached to a 12VDC power source, the back light is on all the 
time... and then the biggest button on the unit does absolutely nothing. 
Not a major annoyance, but I made sure I switched the 12V supply to the 
unit so I can darken it if I want to.

3. Every time you turn it on, you need to cycle the display back to the 
readings you want to see. It would be nice if you could lock in a default 
pair of readings (So I could have it always power on with the two 
temperature readings, or fridge temp and voltage).

All that aside, it's a nice addition, and lets me know if my fridge is 
cooling without opening the door and letting all the cold out.

Tim
That said, it does the job, and lets

At 09:23 AM 6/22/2004 -0400, Eric Zeno wrote:
>Hey..... read step 5 of the manual.  There looks to be a
>very small bar graph as the volt meter,   ONLY..  No
>actual numbers.   To me this is useless.
>                              Eric
>
>Daniel Stevens wrote:
>
>>well i noticed in the current Radio Shack flyer that they had a 
>>reasonably priced ($14.99) dash mounted Thermometer+voltmeter with remote 
>>temp sensor
>>
>>heres the link (hope it works) 
>>http://www.radioshack.com/product.asp?catalog%5Fname=CTLG&category%5Fname=&product%5Fid=63%2D1039&site=search&DSUniqueid=3363998
>>
>>heres the tiny url http://tinyurl.com/3c8lr  if not goto 
>>www.radioshack.com and search on thermometer+voltmeter
>>
>>anyways this lil gadget has a 12vt hook-up and reads in a dual display 
>>either the time, inside temp, remote temp, volts
>>
>>I plan on hooking one up over my fridge door reading fridge inside temps 
>>and aux battery volts. and one on my dash reading outside temps and 
>>primary battery volts.
>>
>>* Compact design fits almost anywhere in your vehicle—attach with 
>>included hook and loop fastener
>>* Includes car lighter adapter
>>* Backlit display for easy viewing at night
>>* Stores minimum and maximum temperature readings
>>* Displays temperature in Fahrenheit or Celsius
>>* 12/24-hour digital clock
>>
>>
>>
>>Obviously I don't have anything to do with radioshack, just passing along 
>>a nice cheap gadget.
>>
>>
>>

Tim Demarest
tim.demarest@pobox.com