Automotive Memory Saver

[bbdano126]

Rich, I just spent about 2 hours replacing the coils on my 2005 Expedition. I had the battery disconnected during the process. Upon connecting the battery and then running the truck, I've noticed that it seems like it is idling too low, while in drive. Could something in the trucks memory gotten erased? My presets on my radio remained on the memory. If that is not the case for the idle, im going to be looking at a vacuu leak. Whats your take on this?

[richpin06a]

@bbdano126 When you disconnect the battery there can be a slite driveability issue till the computer does its relearn.

[RogerIyengarDotCom]

Would keeping the key in accessory when disconnecting the battery with a memory savor damage anything? I want to use one of these for my car, but the cigarette lighter turns off with the key.

[richpin06a]

@RogerIyengarDotCom I have not tried it yet on a car like that.

[RogerIyengarDotCom]

@richpin06a Do you think it would be safe to do, or would you recommend against it? If not, do you know anything about the memory savers that plug into the OBD-II port?

[aaronac8]

Is this memory saver safe to use whenever I disconnect my battery to work on my car? Can I short any circuits with this memory saver in use?

[richpin06a]

@aaronac8 It would be best if you use it for changing out the battery only.

[Knaeckebrotsaege]

one thing you forgot to mention is to use a PSU brick that puts out DC...

might not bee too great if someone tried this with one that puts out AC.. lol

[richpin06a]

@Knaeckebrotsaege At 1:06 of the video there is a bubble that states DC output.

[richpin06a]

@Knaeckebrotsaege At 1:06 of the video there is a bubble that states DC output.

[AhdFOUR]

The Fray Heartbeat 7:31 : )

[IIGrayfoxII]

I would have removed the case from the cig adaptor and soldered the dieode and the wires it is cleaner

[richpin06a]

@IIGrayfoxII Now why didn't i think of that.

[spikefish1989]

now is it true that some cars can set off an air bag. i worked at sears and we were not aloud to plug memory savers in some cars because of this.

[richpin06a]

@spikefish1989 I have not heard this must investigate.

[DJDevon3]

Didn't even think that would be possible. Awesome.

[gaby2276]

WAO NICE THANKS

[furyiiiplate]

Knew I had everything laying around to make one, finally went through the parts bin and made one today...now I just have to remember to use it next time I have to disconnect battery.

[funkro]

Rich,

You could have soldered the 9 volt battery end of the cable you cut to the cigarette adapter and connected a 9 volt battery and got the same results, correct? Seem this would be much safer then messing around with a 120 volt feed>\.

funkro

[upurnose46]

@funkro Volts dont kill, its amps that kill. If you look on a transformer, it will tell you that the current exiting the transformer and into the wires (depending on what size transformer you have) is only 9 volts, which is perfectly safe. But it also tells you that there is about 2 amps of current that are passing trough the wires. 1/4 of that much current could stop your heart. Just be careful and dont leave any exposed wires to come in contact with your body or other wires and you will befine

[Knaeckebrotsaege]

@upurnose46 9V at 2amps would for one be a very odd PSU brick and also wouldn't do any harm. You could hold both ends of the bare output wire in your hands and it wouldn't do anything (provided you don't short them out in the process which could fry the PSU)

[upurnose46]

@Knaeckebrotsaege are you nuts? Have you ever heard of the man that killed himself with a 9 volt battery? My math was off on my last post, it takes just 0.1 amps to stop your heart, so 2 amps would be 20x as lethal. I did an experiment in high school where me and 5 friends connected a plug to a 110v .2a wall outlet, held hands, and grabbed both ends of wire. Since there was 6 of us, we were getting 18.3v and just 0.03a each. I would not recommend grabbing a wire with more than 0.1 amps

[blackericdenice]

Whats the reason for the diode?

[richpin06a]

@blackericdenice Prevents the battery from damaging the transformer.

[AskNathanVideos]

@blackericdenice It protects it by keeping the electricity flowing in one direction from the transformer into the car but not the reverse. Sort of like an electrical version of a checkvalve.

[acscolo]

Well I have to say this is a fine video for someone that wants to "roll their own" memory saver. However, I just bought one at WalMart for $5 dollars.

[TRcustomengineering]

So a regular 9volt battery will work fine for this also?

[richpin06a]

@TRcustomengineering They do make a memory saver with a 9 volt battery.

[hp11208]

cool,what type of diodes i need ?

[FyberOptic]

There can be caveats regarding the AC adapter you use. Current and voltage are directly proportionate, which is important on a plain unregulated AC adapter. That means a 12v adapter with a higher current (amps) rating than the current you're actually using results in a higher voltage. The computer, radio, etc, will all have protections, but I'd suggest using a lower milliamp rating just for saving settings. I wouldn't use accessories or you'll then drop the voltage. Or, use a regulated adapter.

[Arnthorg]

It would probably be best to cut the leads on the diode as short as possible since the leads aren't as flexible as the wire.

[richpin06a]

@Arnthorg You know i was thinking the same thing.

[NapoDEf]

How about the current of the transformer? especially if you have to turn the key to the on position you might need 700mA or more.

[richpin06a]

@NapoDEf You might need a 12V one the 9V one worked good on this car.

[hateercenor]

Is the transformer AC or DC output?

[richpin06a]

@hateercenor DC output

[rodrigoelgu]

how do u come up with all these ideas rich?? very good

[SpaceWolfPainter]

Wonder if you could jump start a car using this.

[richpin06a]

@SpaceWolfPainter No.... not enough stored capacity.

[SpaceWolfPainter]

Genius!

[richpin06a]

@SpaceWolfPainter bill nye the science guy

[logyscott]

Rich do you think the Pats will go all the way?

[richpin06a]

@logyscott No... but that won't stop me from routing for them.

[richpin06a]

@richpin06a Goooo.......Denver Broncos

[doktor2007]

So how exactly does this work? Are the computer and radio powered from the same circuit as the car lighter?

And does it work for all cars?

[richpin06a]

@doktor2007 The power outlet is connected to the same power source as the radio and computer.

[playstation2bigs]

what's the use of diode??? will it work without diode???

[Arnthorg]

@playstation2bigs The function of the diode is to prevent current going back into the transformer when the battery is connected. Diodes only let current through one way. Since the transformer is rated at 9-12v its probably no harm in not using a diode but it might drain the battery if it's not hooked up to mains power when the output is connected to the lighter jack.

[playstation2bigs]

@Arnthorg now i know thanks

[roro560v8]

He Rich, What kind of diod is this ?!,can right down the @ of it ...thanks for you video as always good job & keep it up

[playstation2bigs]

Cool !!

[lonemeno]

also the clock didnt go out @narox the diode is so the battery power don't blow up your transformer its a one way gate sorta speak

[richpin06a]

@lonemeno That was a very good catch seeing the clock did not go out when i removed the cable from the battery.

[99carnot]

If you have to replace the car battery, and don't have a memory saver, what happens ? '98 Saturn. Thanks-Happy New Year.

[richpin06a]

@99carnot The memory of your computer and radio will be deleted.

[99carnot]

@richpin06a I did not ask this correctly. Sorry. I replaced the battery without a memory saver, reset the clock/radio stations, and everything -engine- seems as before. Did I do something wrong. Thanks!!

[richpin06a]

@99carnot Nothing wrong the computer will relearn it's fuel trim in time and reset it's I/M Monitors after two drive cycles.

[99carnot]

@richpin06a Thanks very much!!

[narox]

Good tip. I'm just wondering what is the purpose of the diode?

[fleetwoodsucks]

@narox it makes the electrical current can only run one way, in to the car.

[iglwy]

@narox the power supply only goes one way with the use of a diode.