Ammeter question

[Cardo]

I'm in the process of installing the wiring for our towed generator. The plan is to have a deck socket that I can plug the generator into when using this, however the socket will also be used to power the bimini lighting when not on the move.
The generator instructions advise to place an ammeter in the wiring so one can see the power generation - I like this idea. However, the current will be reversed depending on whether we're generating or consuming.
I've found this ammeter on Amazon:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/0-10A-Recta...QK16/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1360409540&sr=8-1
However, it only reads from 0 to 10A. I'm only really interested in the generating amps so I can make sure everything's working ok. Question is this: Would this ammeter be damaged when the current is reversed when using the bimini lights?

I've found this one on eBay -
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Ammeter-1..._Measurement_Equipment_ET&hash=item27cc36f185
This one goes from -10 to +10 so would cover both generating and consuming, but it's an extra £10 or so that I'm not sure I need to spend.

Thoughts?

 

[elton]

You could put the current through a bridge rectifier so the meter will always see current in the correct direction.

 

[paul.norton]

I'm in the process of installing the wiring for our towed generator. The plan is to have a deck socket that I can plug the generator into when using this, however the socket will also be used to power the bimini lighting when not on the move.
The generator instructions advise to place an ammeter in the wiring so one can see the power generation - I like this idea. However, the current will be reversed depending on whether we're generating or consuming.
I've found this ammeter on Amazon:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/0-10A-Recta...QK16/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1360409540&sr=8-1
However, it only reads from 0 to 10A. I'm only really interested in the generating amps so I can make sure everything's working ok. Question is this: Would this ammeter be damaged when the current is reversed when using the bimini lights?

I've found this one on eBay -
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Ammeter-1..._Measurement_Equipment_ET&hash=item27cc36f185
This one goes from -10 to +10 so would cover both generating and consuming, but it's an extra £10 or so that I'm not sure I need to spend.

Thoughts?

I cannot see how you can use one socket in the way you describe. To connect the generator to the boat's electrics you will need an Appliance Inlet - See http://www.tlc-direct.co.uk/Products/GW240slash16slash3A.html. This has fixed pins which are on the 'load' side of the plug/socket. For you lights, you need a conventional plug/socket.

Hope that helps.

Paul

 

[Cardo]

I cannot see how you can use one socket in the way you describe. To connect the generator to the boat's electrics you will need an Appliance Inlet - See http://www.tlc-direct.co.uk/Products/GW240slash16slash3A.html. This has fixed pins which are on the 'load' side of the plug/socket. For you lights, you need a conventional plug/socket.

Hope that helps.

Paul

The towed generator has simple two core cable that is connected directly to the battery (via deck plug, ammeter, on/off switch and fuse).

 

[Mistroma]

I cannot see how you can use one socket in the way you describe. To connect the generator to the boat's electrics you will need an Appliance Inlet - See http://www.tlc-direct.co.uk/Products/GW240slash16slash3A.html. This has fixed pins which are on the 'load' side of the plug/socket. For you lights, you need a conventional plug/socket.

Hope that helps.

Paul

Having an appliance inlet type connector would simply leave exposed live pins that are connected to the boat batteries. Putting the male pins on the generator side means that they are only live if it is turning. So an appliance inlet connector won't really help.

Anyway, the OP is talking about a DC generator, not 230V AC and 12V or 24V DC systems are relatively benign regarding shocks. So this isn't a very unusual set-up.

You won't have much of a problem brushing against 2 12V connections. However, I wouldn't expect to hear from you again if you stuck the wires in your mouth. Exposed 12V pins are pretty safe in normal use but you do get problems with corrosion, damp etc. and need waterproof connections.

Using the same socket for input and output will be fine, though not ideal. Pretty certain that it won't be a good idea to run the generator open circuit anyway. I know that Rutland have warnings about damaging their wind-gens if run when not connected to a battery. I've never looked at tech. specs. for a towed generator but wouldn't be surprised to find the same warning. So the generator would probably only be unlpugged when it wasn't generating.

 

[VicS]

I'm in the process of installing the wiring for our towed generator. .........................................................
Thoughts?

Why not use a three pin deck socket and plug.... use one pin as the common negative , one of the other two for the generator + and the other for the lighting +.

Wire your cheap ammeter into the connection for the generator.

BUt are you sure an ammeter of that type is robust enough to withstand life on a boat?