Testing ISVs

[isham-research.freeserve.co.uk at pop.pol.net.uk]

Someone asked if it was OK to put 9V across an ISV to test it.

Yup - that's what I do.  A junkyard connector, a 9V battery, some wire,
tie-wraps and a push-to-make switch:

http://www.isham-research.freeserve.co.uk/quattro/isv_test.jpg

These 9V batteries have quite high internal resistance, so they won't
damage the ISV.  Despite the rating, I don't think they're up to the
full current a 12V car battery can provide.  Like all electronic devices,
they run on smoke and don't work if you let the smoke out.

Just blow into one end of the ISV - it shouldn't leak.  Press the
switch, and it should.  Also useful for cleaning - immerse the business
end in degreasant and click away.  NEVER insert a hard object - the seal
in the ISV is essentially a surface-mounted O-ring and quite delicate.

Leaky ISVs should describe a parabola - right into the bin.

-- 
 Phil