Lacuna sat Meter power

digiguy

Hi all

I have a Lacuna sat meter " brick shape" I've noticed the unit drains the battery quickly even though I've replaced the cells. Is it possible to adapt the meter to run from an external psu or bigger batterypack? It would be no problem to fix a socket to the case and connect the socket to the battery cable. Is it possible to get the same voltage battery that will last longer ?


Cheers

rolfw

I'm sure that the unit could take its power from an external source, i believe that it is 12v. I gave up with mine in the end, could barely get one installation out of it.

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johnsattuk

When I replaced ny batteries a few months ago I replaced the 1800mah packs with a 2300mah one. It did improve it quite a bit, but I was replacing a failing battery anyway.

I only use mine DIY so it doesn't get a lot of use, but it's always needs charging when I want to use it. Seems to be a drain on it, even when not in use.

I'm sure you could power it with almost any 12v source, maybe through the charging socket, if you can disconnect the charge sensing circuit.

digiguy

Yeah, I use my meter for diy, and have to charge the thing before I need it ! By the time the thing is charged, the rain starts! Ended up having to pay an insataller to fit my motorised system, as it would of taken days... use.. recharge...use etc etc

Funny why lacuna didnt fit an external supply option.

Thanks for the replies!

digiguy

Hi all.

Going back to my old post. I really need to sort this meer out. I dont want to payout for an new meter or insatller.

What type of PSU would I need to power the meter? I had intended to, if possible to fix a switch and a socket in to the body of the meter so I bypass the battery in the meter. I am thinking of using a battery belt or decent PSU. I don't want to damage the meter-- would this be a safe thing to do?

I am annoyed that I can't get more than 10 mins out of it! Be nice to get rid of the 5min shut down too

digiguy

Hi

If I was to get a 15v PSU to power my meter instead of the useless battery pack, would I have to worry about the amps?

According the Lacuna -- "The pack is made from 10 x 1.5 volt cells, 2.2mAh at the moment" No wonder it doesnt last very long!

Cheers

dishdoctor

To Fit a new battery to my Skinka/Lacuna meter i just removed the internal battery,found a plug that matched the battery conector inside the meter,made a small hole thru the casing and attached a 12v ni-cad rechargable to the outside with cling film,and now charge and recharge this external battery with the existing charger,charging thru the meter itself,the power remaining indicator does not always show any charge left but the meter works fine.........

dishdoctor

one more thing......rechargable battery cells are usualy only 1.2 volts.....ordinary batteries are 1.5 volts.......so 10 cells are 12 volts

digiguy

Thanks for that. Seems quite a few people have had problems with this meter's battery life!

CROSSBONES

yep same prob too, sold mine and bought a Horizon meter.