Eliminate Batteries in TDS meter

[FishTri]

I'm tired of changing batteries in my TDS meter. Sure, they last a while, but the display starts to go dim and its always at the worst time.

Has anybody ever modified a plug-in brick to run their DM1 TDS meter?

[zachfishman]

I'm sure you could, you just need a 1.5VDC power supply and connect the leads to the right contacts in the battery compartment. Curious that you need to replace your batteries often, my DM1 meters go years without battery replacements. I am only turning them on a couple times a month though, if that.

You could use this, cut off the connector, strip the two wires, and solder them to where the battery connects:
https://www.amazon.com/Seven-Star-Regulated-Universal-Converter/dp/B005IDTH76/ref=pd_lpo_vtph_lp_t_3?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=HD9TRGAFZAA90D4V5471

[FishTri]

Its not that they need to be changed that often. But when they do, it ends up taking a couple of days before I get to the hardware store, etc. Very minor issue, but minor issues add up.

I'm redoing my whole RO/DI system and trying to make is as efficient as possible, and eliminating as much maintenance as possible. This was just one more little nuisance to tackle.

Thanks for your suggestion. I'll be rooting around the electrical scrap heap at home looking for a suitable charger. I'm thinking there were two little button cells in there, so maybe a 3v brick? I'll check first.

[NubbsJRN]

https://www.amazon.com/WAYLLSHINE%C2%AE-Dozen-Battery-Holder-Black/dp/B013GNC08C/ref=mp_s_a_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1546469947&sr=8-4&pi=AC_SX236_SY340_FMwebp_QL65&keywords=aa+battery+holder&dpPl=1&dpID=51igOxZbUML&ref=plSrch

Two AA batteries are easier to replace and will last a very long time.

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[rjjr1963]

My batteries just died after 3 years. I ordered a blister pack of 10 batteries for $6 on Amazon.

[FishTri]

https://www.amazon.com/WAYLLSHINE%C2%AE-Dozen-Battery-Holder-Black/dp/B013GNC08C/ref=mp_s_a_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1546469947&sr=8-4&pi=AC_SX236_SY340_FMwebp_QL65&keywords=aa+battery+holder&dpPl=1&dpID=51igOxZbUML&ref=plSrch

Two AA batteries are easier to replace and will last a very long time.

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Great idea! Keeps electricity away from the water, and two AAs should last for a long, long time. And I always have these around.

Thanks!

[neilp2006]

For the same money, why not just buy a 6 pack of 3v buttons and save the half hour messing around?


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[FishTri]

For the same money, why not just buy a 6 pack of 3v buttons and save the half hour messing around?


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In this case its not about the few dollars it would cost either way. FWIW, I have the blister pack of button cells. (In fact, that may be part of the issue because they don't seem to last that long.)

I'm happy to invest a couple of hours if that eliminates maintenance requirements over the years, and makes the system more reliable. Specifically, when its time to make a large batch of water, it would be nice if everything worked without having to replace dead batteries.