Weird DMM/2nd batt problem..smoke and such

[I Like Waffle]

Just a few mins ago i was playing my setup full tilt and wanted to check the voltage at my 2nd batt, so i put the meter on 20v dc as usual, and everything else as it should be. I put the probes on the pos and neg and it read 13.5v for a split sec then the engine RPM dropped alot so i pulled it off and checked everything, then put it back on, and the meter started smoking, this all happened within about 2 seconds. Apparently somehow the meter caused the pos and neg to ground together inside it. Do you guys think this couldve damaged any of my equipment or batts? Im just running my sub amp off this batt, everything else is on the other batt if that makes a diff. Im just puzzled as to why that would happen //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/confused.gif.e820e0216602db4765798ac39d28caa9.gif

Edit : id like to add, My 2nd batt has a pos run from the alt to its pos, a pos from that to the other batt, and a ground from it to the other batt. Should i add a chassis and engine ground to this batt as well?

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[grimreper912003 5,000+ posts]

were the probes tight? Does yours have an internal fuse and were the probes in the right configuration?

 

[I Like Waffle]

The probes were in good and everything. I pulled it apart and the thing that burned appears to be a little diode on the board. Multimeter still works though, but im not gonna test anything else with it. lol

 

[grimreper912003 5,000+ posts]

Maybe its like amps and you released the magic smoke?

 

[I Like Waffle]

maybe. All my equipment still works good as far as i can tell, voltage is dropping more than usual though. Im gonna put the batts on a trickle charger for tonight and see if that helps. I dont know too much about batts but just because theyre showing 12.5v does that mean theyre fully charged?

 

[grimreper912003 5,000+ posts]

a fully charged battery can sit over 13v. It depends on what kind of battery it is.

 

[I Like Waffle]

Mine are fully charged according to the charger, but i cant check to see the voltage with my dmm. //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/crap.gif.7f4dd41e3e9b23fbd170a1ee6f65cecc.gif Ill get a new one soon i guess.

 

[bigbangtheory 5,000+ posts]

12.5 is still good.

Maybe your DMM is just faulty or something?