Embarassing question about current consumption.

[janus]

Hello I read the FAQ on curent consumption measure the battery snap and the positive on the battery at 7.4 with the circuit one ..um do I subtract the voltage of the battery when measured unattached to the circuit? That is 8.8? making it or am I missing something? sorry about the silly question.
thanks,
Brian

[twabelljr]

    Make sure your meter is set to read mA. Whatever reading you get is your current draw in milliamps. You don't need to subtract anything.

[janus]

Hey thanks to take it a step further on the embarassment level that would be the 200m on the dial? very new to multimeters 

[Connoisseur of Distortion]

little OT... why do all multimeters have the yellow jacket? mine has one that has little holders for the probes, so you end up with a big yellow and gray thing with two sharp prongs sticking out the front. looks like an elephant-wasting taser.

[twabelljr]

     Yes. Start with the 200m. If your reading is less than 20mA, then switch to the 20m for a more accurate reading. Always start with a higher setting and work your way down or you may blow your meter's fuse or worse.

[janus]

thanks I'll get to it tonight...The manual is vague, and the only meters I've used are the really old analog meter types with very limited features so it's kinda all new to me...I'm assuming the 200/20m in the green section of the dial? end of questions I promise.
brian

[twabelljr]

    Yes. The A with the straight line at the top of that scale means DC Amps. The very bottom where it says 10A is up to 10 amps. To use that scale you have to move your red lead to the other hole at the bottom of the meter. To do what you want, connect the leads like they are in the picture you posted, set to the 200mA range, connect as shown in my cheesey drawing, turn meter on, then turn effect on. You should have a good reading then. Check with the effect off also to be sure you have zero current draw. And don't be embarrased, at least you didn't blow anything up doing it without asking when in doubt!