Decent Voltmeter For Boat

[CaptainBob]

My voltmeter has gone kaput. Inspection reveals some corrosion of some components on the circuitboard. Can you recommend a half decent one which:

a) Lasts AGES on a set of batteries.
b) Uses AA or AAAs (I have loads and a charger for them).
c) Doesn't cost TOO much.
d) Can withstand the salty environment for a good long while.

Thank you!

 

[damo]

You can get them for under a tenner, so why not replace as needed? (Mine have lasted 4-5 years so far /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif )

 

[KenMcCulloch]

BOGOF for a basic multimeter at Maplins at the moment.

 

[LadyInBed]

Do you want a Voltmeter or a Multimeter?
I carry two cheap Lidl Multimeters and a fixed RS Voltmeter

 

[William_H]

The link to the RS voltmeter gives an example of an ideal volt meter. Note that it is "signal powered" that is it runs from the ships 12v supply which is what you are measuring. So it would need the batteries to be better than about 9 volts to get a reading. The important thing is that the measured voltage negative wire is the same as the power supply negative. There are many cheaper ones around where the measured negative must be isolated from the power supply negative which then requires a separate battery supply (9Volt).
The voltmeters are often available as LED readout which draws relatively large current so needs a switch to press to measure wheras the LCD type draw such small current that they can be left reading out continuously.

Regarding long life and corrosion. That is difficult. _Perhaps if you fitted it in a plastic box with Silica-Gel to absorb moisture it might last longer. Or just smother with grease or valeline to exclude moisture.
basically you are stuck with electronic devices not designed for marine environment but cheap.
I presume here that your olkd meter was a digital readout type with a square cut out and you want to replace it. If it was a round cut out type analogue meter then you should look for one of similar size. You can buy a 50 or 100 uamp meter and fit zener diodes and resistor to give expanded range. This then requires that you reclibrate and redo the numbers on the meter. PM me if you want help.
good luck olewill

 

[CaptainBob]

Thanks for the replies. I did actually mean a multimeter rather than a voltmeter - for general use onboard. Will check out the suggested links etc.

 

[halcyon]

Watch www.cpc.co.uk, they have a clamp ammeter that also has volts, ohms etc, that comes at under £20 on offer. Part number IN05110, currently £30, but they have not been on offer for a time, so may be on shortly.

Brian