External Marine Instrument that will Display a Voltage ?

[savageseadog]

I'm building a rig load indicator. I have a load cell, I will build a conditioner to output a voltage in proportion to load. I need a marine instrument that I could mount in a cockpit that can display in analogue or digital form the voltage. eg if there were an instrument that could display 0-10 for an input of 0-1V I could perhaps calibrate it to read 0-10 Tonnes. There is a vast range of marine instruments out there and someone on the forum hopefully might have some ideas. The other possibility is a converter that could take a voltage input and turn it into an NMEA or similar string. Any ideas please?

 

[FullCircle]

I'm building a rig load indicator. I have a load cell, I will build a conditioner to output a voltage in proportion to load. I need a marine instrument that I could mount in a cockpit that can display in analogue or digital form the voltage. eg if there were an instrument that could display 0-10 for an input of 0-1V I could perhaps calibrate it to read 0-10 Tonnes. There is a vast range of marine instruments out there and someone on the forum hopefully might have some ideas. The other possibility is a converter that could take a voltage input and turn it into an NMEA or similar string. Any ideas please?

Most instruments have a voltage display, but it is the voltage in the supply to the instruments, and not discrete.

You could use a en ebay voltage display like this...

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Waterproo..._Measurement_Equipment_ET&hash=item5af52b8d3a

which purports to be waterproof.....

 

[JumbleDuck]

The older (pre-synchro) B&G analogue cockpit repeaters are straightforward 2mA FSD meters. A 0-10kt speed indicator would do you fine.

Alternatively, searching for "waterproof voltmeter" at www.rs-online-com produced http://uk.rs-online.com/web/p/digital-panel-voltmeters/4554488/ as an LCD one and http://uk.rs-online.com/web/p/digital-panel-voltmeters/4554494/ as the LED version. Both thirty four quid.

 

[DaveS]

Most instruments have a voltage display, but it is the voltage in the supply to the instruments, and not discrete.

You could use a en ebay voltage display like this...

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Waterproo..._Measurement_Equipment_ET&hash=item5af52b8d3a

which purports to be waterproof.....

According to the translated Chinese, it needs a minimum of 15V.

 

[keensailor]

I'm building a rig load indicator. I have a load cell, I will build a conditioner to output a voltage in proportion to load. I need a marine instrument that I could mount in a cockpit that can display in analogue or digital form the voltage. eg if there were an instrument that could display 0-10 for an input of 0-1V I could perhaps calibrate it to read 0-10 Tonnes. There is a vast range of marine instruments out there and someone on the forum hopefully might have some ideas. The other possibility is a converter that could take a voltage input and turn it into an NMEA or similar string. Any ideas please?

Have you looked at the VDO range of marine gauges;

http://marine.vdo-gauges.com/

 

[AngusMcDoon]

B&G make kit for exactly the use you are describing.

This is the simplest equipment you will need.

A loadcell amplifier/interface...

http://bandg.com/en-GB/Products/Loadcell-Amplifier/

A graphic display...

http://bandg.com/en-GB/Products/H3000-Graphical-Function-Display-GFD/

You could also use a smaller display like the 10/10 instead but you would have no means of configuring it in a minimal system. You would have to get a dealer to do it for you.

http://bandg.com/en-GB/Products/1010-HV-Display/

This lot make a loadcell with an integrated display...

http://www.diverseyachts.com/loadcells.php?t=LOADCELLS

Not related in any way. Well ok, I might be a bit.

 

[savageseadog]

B&G make kit for exactly the use you are describing.

This is the simplest equipment you will need.

A loadcell amplifier/interface...

http://bandg.com/en-GB/Products/Loadcell-Amplifier/

A graphic display...

http://bandg.com/en-GB/Products/H3000-Graphical-Function-Display-GFD/

You could also use a smaller display like the 10/10 instead but you would have no means of configuring it in a minimal system. You would have to get a dealer to do it for you.

http://bandg.com/en-GB/Products/1010-HV-Display/

This lot make a loadcell with an integrated display...

http://www.diverseyachts.com/loadcells.php?t=LOADCELLS

Not related in any way. Well ok, I might be a bit.

The proper B&G stuff is eye wateringly expensive, this is very much a cheapo DIY job. There are some useful ideas here though so thanks so far.

 

[rogerthebodger]

If it's a"cheapo DIY job" get any cheap DVM and mount it inside a IP65 or better box with a polycarb lid.

Plastic cable glandes can seal any cables