VU meter driver question

[Esppse]

Hello,

I just bought one of these meters for my unit. It will be monitoring the outputs of a mixer but I am having trouble getting it to work.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Dual-12-Level-indicator-VU-Meter-Stereo-Amplifier-Board-Light-Speed-Board-w-AGC/254063867561?_trkparms=aid%3D111001%26algo%3DREC.SEED%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D20160908105057%26meid%3D548df261da314a24bb377b9369f96e61%26pid%3D100675%26rk%3D1%26rkt%3D15%26sd%3D254063867561%26itm%3D254063867561&_trksid=p2481888.c100675.m4236&_trkparms=pageci%3A1e81cf49-998e-11e9-baf4-74dbd180e140%7Cparentrq%3A9d983e0016b0aa4874c06296ffac5e22%7Ciid%3A1

I applied 12v to the proper pin, grounded it, and put the left and right pins to the left and right output.

Currently, I am not using a VU meter driver. Do I need one or is this supposed to just work by connecting to the mixer outputs?

Thanks

[anotherjim]

The product description suggests it is auto-ranging according to some calibration routine...

For some users that the level of light sensitivity, please complete the user welding test the first thing must press the button for 10 seconds to restore a factory settings!

...which I think means that while your audio is incoming, you hold that little button down for 10 seconds and it calibrates according to the peak level during that time...
..well, maybe?

[Esppse]

Hmm I thought I reset it. I'll try it again tonight and report back. Thanks

[GibsonGM]

Hmm I thought I reset it. I'll try it again tonight and report back. Thanks

Please make sure to put the visor down when you do, and don't stare directly into the arc...

[Esppse]

Ah no welding done here, I think the description was trying to say soldering. perhaps I'll pick up that skill one day. Thanks for the advice.

Anyways I figured out my mistake. The meters terminal was making contact to the chassis and grounding out... derp...  and it actually works on 9V. Yay! No vu driver needed.

[bool]

Ah no welding done here
...

So no sparks... no smoke? ... boring ...

[amptramp]

Looks like a complete device made from a pair of LM3916 VU to LED converters for less than the cost of the parts themselves and with brightness control circuitry of some sort.  I like it!

[Ice-9]

Looks like a nice little module to use.