Digital volt and amp meters - Where to buy?

[PITCAIRN]

Thanks for all of that and thanks Graham for the site link, that NASA site for the BM1 says it all, cheers

 

[KAL]

Been toying with buying a Smartgauge, or a Sterling Monitor, to monitor my new 330Ah domestic bank state of charge etc..

However, I've been using a multimeter on the battery charger terminals sporadically, and find I'm probably getting as much info as I need.

So....

Where can I buy a reasonably accurate volt meter and amp meter, preferably digital? I'm guessing that, for a small percentage of the cost of the above monitors, I could set myself up with all I need.

Done a bit of googling, and found some on eBay, but not really sure of what I'm looking for.

Many Thanks

Richard

The same question came up on the Westerly wiki andf the result was quite a nice piece on what seems to be a workable and economical solution. I hope so, anyway, as I sent off to Virtual Village for one and I've got it sitting here waiting to fit. Went for the one you can switch on and off. Link below:

http://westerly-owners.co.uk/westerlywiki/index.php?title=Digital_Battery_Meter

 

[Richard10002]

The same question came up on the Westerly wiki andf the result was quite a nice piece on what seems to be a workable and economical solution. I hope so, anyway, as I sent off to Virtual Village for one and I've got it sitting here waiting to fit. Went for the one you can switch on and off. Link below:

http://westerly-owners.co.uk/westerlywiki/index.php?title=Digital_Battery_Meter

About 5 posts up you will see that I have a Voltmeter and an Ammeter from Lightning Boy in China.

Volt meter fitted and working fine, and supplying a nice low level nightlight ammeter waiting to be fitted.

Now that NASA have launched the BM-2, (up to 200A), i'll probably be getting one at £120 or so.

Cheers,

Richard

 

[DogWatch]

Been toying with buying a Smartgauge, or a Sterling Monitor, to monitor my new 330Ah domestic bank state of charge etc..

However, I've been using a multimeter on the battery charger terminals sporadically, and find I'm probably getting as much info as I need.

So....

Where can I buy a reasonably accurate volt meter and amp meter, preferably digital? I'm guessing that, for a small percentage of the cost of the above monitors, I could set myself up with all I need.

Done a bit of googling, and found some on eBay, but not really sure of what I'm looking for.

Many Thanks

Richard

I've been considering these on ebay for a while. No idea how good they are but cheap enough to take a punt I reckon. I currently have analogue meters, but they are seriously affected by a nearby speaker and relocation is difficult, easiest solution is to swap them for digi.

If you do go for any of these please report back your thoughts.

 

[grumpy_o_g]

Some links that might or might not interest...

Digital Panel Meter, Costs $60, measures:
Amp-Hours: (0 - 6554)
Kilo Watt-hours: (0 - 650)
Amps: (0-100 peak)
Watts: (0 - 6554)
Peak Amps & minimum Voltage ("sags")
Voltage: (0 - 60)

http://www.rc-electronics-usa.com/ammeters/rv-battery-monitor.html


Cheap USB connected Windows-based battery condition analyser complete with load...
http://www.batteryspace.com/Computerized-Battery-Analyzer-for-Any-Battery-Pack-up-to-150W-or-40Amp.aspx


Very cheap and simple battery voltage measurement...
http://www.batteryspace.com/batterymonitor12von-boardbatterypowermonitor.aspx


How to make your own AmpHourmeter....
http://members.optusnet.com.au/frankwinter/


Percentage charge values for volts and Specific Gravity
http://www.otherpower.com/otherpower_battery_metering.html


Cheap and basic battery monitor for $40

http://www.solar-electric.com/mnbcm.html


A very good multimeter with everything you're likely to need, £190 =£50 shipping..
http://www.fluke.com/Fluke/usen/Electrical-Test-Tools/Clamp-Meters/Fluke-375.htm?PID=70391


A much cheaper multi-meter of unknown provenance but well featured...
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/UNI-T-DC-clamp-current-Digital-Multimeter-UT-204-UT204-/130477042386?pt=UK_ConsumerElectronics_SpecialistRadioEquipment_SM&hash=item1e6109aad2


And finally a good simple article on how to use an Amphour or battery condition meter in real life and what it actually does...
http://www.reginasailing.com/General/Boat/Equipment/AhReading/AhReading.html

 

[lw395]

I've been considering these on ebay for a while. No idea how good they are but cheap enough to take a punt I reckon. I currently have analogue meters, but they are seriously affected by a nearby speaker and relocation is difficult, easiest solution is to swap them for digi.

If you do go for any of these please report back your thoughts.

I have a couple of those. Useful for my Ducati, which is one of the older ones well known for a marginal charging system, designed on the principle that you only need the lights to be bright when you're speeding I think! Checks out pretty well against my fluke DMM, at least on pure DC. I have put some serious filtering on the input, as the ducati alternator, fuel injection, fuel pump etc make for a pretty noisy '12V'.

 

[lw395]

Digital Panel Meter, Costs $60, measures:
Amp-Hours: (0 - 6554)
Kilo Watt-hours: (0 - 650)
Amps: (0-100 peak)
Watts: (0 - 6554)
Peak Amps & minimum Voltage ("sags")
Voltage: (0 - 60)

http://www.rc-electronics-usa.com/ammeters/rv-battery-monitor.html


Cheap USB connected Windows-based battery condition analyser complete with load...
http://www.batteryspace.com/Computerized-Battery-Analyzer-for-Any-Battery-Pack-up-to-150W-or-40Amp.aspx


Very cheap and simple battery voltage measurement...
http://www.batteryspace.com/batterymonitor12von-boardbatterypowermonitor.aspx


How to make your own AmpHourmeter....
http://members.optusnet.com.au/frankwinter/


Percentage charge values for volts and Specific Gravity
http://www.otherpower.com/otherpower_battery_metering.html


Cheap and basic battery monitor for $40

http://www.solar-electric.com/mnbcm.html


A very good multimeter with everything you're likely to need, £190 =£50 shipping..
http://www.fluke.com/Fluke/usen/Electrical-Test-Tools/Clamp-Meters/Fluke-375.htm?PID=70391


A much cheaper multi-meter of unknown provenance but well featured...
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/UNI-T-DC-clamp-current-Digital-Multimeter-UT-204-UT204-/130477042386?pt=UK_ConsumerElectronics_SpecialistRadioEquipment_SM&hash=item1e6109aad2


And finally a good simple article on how to use an Amphour or battery condition meter in real life and what it actually does...
http://www.reginasailing.com/General/Boat/Equipment/AhReading/AhReading.html

Ta for the links! First item looks impressive.
cheers.