Hi there folks, I’ve built a few C8’s now and would really like to know how to properly measure the amp draw while on high, but I’m not sure how to go about this properly, any help would be great. Thanks in advance!
Using a clamp meter is the best result.
Need a clamp meter (obviously) and some fine stranded 12AWG
Battery that is capable of exceeding the anticipated current draw of the tested light. Single emitter could go over 5 Amps on a FET driver and a triple build could exceed 15 Amps on a FET. I do not use protected cells when measuring tailcap current. Samsung 30Q is my go-to Batt in high draw lights. Once you start going over 5A you need to be selective about batteries and having them fresh off the charger.
There is a link in post #2 that shows how to zero the meter and where to put the ends of wire. About a third of the way down the page of link in post #2.
https://budgetlightforum.com/t/-/27796/2
Buy a clamp meter.
UT210E is very popular and works great.
For most 7135 drivers a DMM works ok if the leads are changed to short, heavy guage wire. Otherwise the voltage drop in the leads can reduce the measured current. For example, a 6 x 7135 driver should draw 2.1A - 2.28A depending on the bin of the 7135’s but thin leads might only allow a reading of 1.8A(results vary unpredictably). Remove the tail cap and touch one wire to B- and the other to bare aluminum (not anodized) on the light. If you need actual led current you need to desolder one of the emitter wires and place the DMM in the circuit there instead. The higher the expected current draw the more you will benefit from using a clamp meter instead.
Thank you very much sir!
Thank you as well Rufusbduck, much appreciated!