Premier Power Welder - installation & voltage measurements
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voltage measurements In looking to spend more solo time camping this is a tool that could come to good use on a trail. A plus is that I'll finally have a welder for tending some tasks on the jeep. I installed it just before the Hole In The Rock trip and it was put to use on the fourth day of the trip on the Rincon trail. I did have electrical issues on the trip. First, the cell phone, powered via a dashboard 12vDC to USB adapter, did not wish to charge - it wasn't happy with the voltage from the USB adapter. This setup has been running reliably for many years. Second, the refrigerator blew a fuse. Quite unusual as it has been in use for a few years with a solid history of not blowing any fuse. Third, the inverter blew - not a fuse, the unit. It is dead. Fourth, eash start of the jeep's engine would produce loud belt squeal, but only for a moment, with the dashboard voltmeter spiking higher than experienced prior. The v-belt for the alternator is quite tight - enough that the factory bracket is twisting a bit. |
| Old alternator out |
| New alternator in |
| A nice looking & rugged box |
| In reading the owner's manual (good
documentation provided) I added a couple labels to the box |
| Original mount locaion - passenger fender. With it here, accessing the engine oil dipstick is a bit cumbersome. I might relocate the box to the passenger floorboard. The cables are long enough. |
| The cover is an optional accessory |
| Long cables. I left all but the 12v battery
power at their original lengths. |
| First
voltage measurements |
| After the two volt-ohm meter measurements I
took photos of the gauge at different switch positions. Engine running (idle), Master control off, power tool off, meter reads 0 volts |
| Engine running (idle), Master control on, power tool off, meter reads 30 volts. |
| Engine running (idle), Master control on, power tool on, meter reads 75 volts. |
| Reversing the power on process Engine running (idle), Master control on, power tool off, meter reads 30 volts. |
| Engine running (idle), Master control off, power tool off, meter reads 0 volts |
| Battery power connections to the system Red coloring of the battery connection is anti-corrosion coating applied after connections were made to a cleaned connector. |
