How much current is being used?

sandy700

I have a multimeter set on the 2m current range and I have a reading of 1.181 with a 2 showing at the decimal point when there is no load on the output.

This is from a voltage regulator for a lithium battery.

I want to know if I should put a switch in the circuit or is the reading minuscule? 


What is the current being used?

km1500

What is the 2m current range - I assume 2 milliamps max deflection?

If so, you are pulling 1.181 milliamps

(Not sure what you mean about a 2 showing - unless that is the range indictor.)

Is it miniscule? It depends on the capacity of the battery. If it is a tiny watch battery then it's a lot. If it's an electric car battery it is miniscule

sandy700

Yes the 2 is the range indicator so 1.181 milliamps  seems about right.

The battery is a 18650 with a voltage regulator set at an output of 12 volts to power a waterpump for 3 seconds once or twice a day.

It is an automatic watering system.

victor2

The 18650 battery is rated between 2600 and 3500mAh, so a draw of 1.2mA isn't going to flatten it too fast.

Edit: Some specs say 1200mAh, so see what your is rated at.

km1500

You can find out how long the battery will last (in hours) by dividing the capacity in mAh by 1.181