AMP METER?

larglo · Post by **larglo** » Wed Feb 23, 2011 1:51 pm

Hi all,

I was looking for prices for DC volt meter and ran across an Amp meter, and thought that may be useful too, to see what my amp draw. The one on West Marine read this way,,,

----------------
Blue Sea Systems analog meters have a modern, flat scale design which makes precise reading easy. Simple two-wire connection. Display 2.625" W, 1.26" H. Can also be mounted in a 2-1/16" hole using the studs on the back of the case. Ammeters measure alternator output, battery charger output, distribution panel consumption, inverter consumption or solar panel array output. Meters are accurate to Â±3% full scale.

----------------

Question; this being a dc and not ac,,,,would this be able to tell what I should know?

Where should,,,or what should I hook it to, to tell what I should know?

Anybody use one of these?

Will this help me in any way determine how long my house battery will last, and along with the dc volt meter?

Any thoughts.

Thanks as always.

Larry

g36 · Post by **g36** » Wed Feb 23, 2011 2:22 pm

a permeant amp meter might be nice but not really needed. your permeant mounted volt meter will tell you what you want to know. you keep saying your only going out for the day. i use a fluke meter that is similair to this
http://www.multimeterwarehouse.com/BM802f.htm

may can find cheaper but this is a start. you just clamp this over your 12 v positive cable at the battery and make note of the reading when your 12 v load is on. you will see the actual dc amps being used. make a note. once you know what each items use, you know, its not going to change you can test everything individually or everything all together for a total load reading. requires no permeant wiring and you can also use the multimeter for everything else. check fuses, bulbs wiring or switches etc. if you already have a multimeter than you could by a seperate amp clamp and plug it in to the meter you presently have. the blue sea will require more installation of stuff.

larglo · Post by **larglo** » Wed Feb 23, 2011 4:46 pm

g36

This is something I am looking at, and have been to the site. You mentioned putting the clamp on the pos battery cable and note the dc load. I was thinking of checking what the fridge was drawing, but if I'm thinking, from what you said, I'd be checking what is coming directly, the amp draw from the battery and that would tell how fast the 125 ah would be depleted from the battery?

I think this would be better than the mounted/installed gauge, like you said, I could check everything with the clamp meter seperately. Have you had any dealings with the people on this site?

Thanks very much.

Larry

ready123 · Post by **ready123** » Wed Feb 23, 2011 5:09 pm

[quote="larglo"]I think this would be better than the mounted/installed gauge, like you said, I could check everything with the clamp meter seperately./quote]
Make sure you get the leads so that you can check the Voltage of the battery. That is what you are going to need to monitor while out for the day to ensure you stay above 50% charge to prolong the life of the battery.

Big D · Post by **Big D** » Wed Feb 23, 2011 8:55 pm

Larry, the amp meter is used to determin what you are drawing during operation. To monitor the available power or the state of discharge of the battery, you need to monitor battery voltage periodically, even when nothing is running so that you can take measures and not turn on certain items for the duration.

g36 · Post by **g36** » Wed Feb 23, 2011 9:16 pm

I don't have firsthand info for the website linked. I just googled this so I could give you info on exactly what I was referring to. This might be a good website but I don't know. they do take paypal. There will be several places to find thesemeters. For using the meter for other Things you will need the meter leads. they are included. having a multimeter is very handy. For you and what you are needing this is a very easy solution andpractical. Tomorrow I can look around on web some more

TC · Post by TC » Wed Feb 23, 2011 10:11 pm

Largo:
A dash mounted amp meter is generally a dedicated meter where you would monitor one operation all the time. IE amps going into the battery as the engine is running after sitting on the hook. Switching leads to check other things is not a user friendly operation. I know there are the expensive amp/hour meters that will give you time left on the house, etc, but we are dealing with short trips here.
What I feel you should use is a good quality digital multi meter. This you can use all around the boat, checking current draw on your frig, one of your circuits, light bulbs and, provided you get a high current meter, several circuits at once. This last choice is rare as generally you are looking for a problem and you are dealing with one area. Make sure you purchase at least a 10 amp meter and remember start up surge of a motor may tax the capacity of the meter. If your frig draws 6 amps running it quite possibily spike past 10 amps on start up and fry your new meter. Get longer leads than what generally come with the meter as the connection point and where the meter will lay are ALWAYS 3 inches further than the leads are long. You will also end up using the the ohms scale when you want to know why that bulb seems dim and then your connection points can be a long way apart. I carry a 25' paired lead just in case I have to go from the fly to the engine compartment, and I have used it.

g36 · Post by **g36** » Thu Feb 24, 2011 7:40 am

heres a couple of units that are a better choice i am trying to keep the cost down for you while still meeting the goal. i belive you said your on a budget. your not using this everyday and as your profession so either would be fine. with this your when you wonder how much power something might use you put the clamp on meter on your battery cable and check it. then take it off its not something you use everytime or anything. you can if you want. but once you know the readings it wouldnt be nessecary then during the day you periodically keep an eye on your volt meter you have installed and have an idea of how you are doing. there are lots of useages for a multimeter in addition to the dc clamp on these. very hand at the house also.
if you decide this type of portable amp meters doesnt work for you and you are going to install a permeant amp guage. i will suggest you purchase a digital meter not analog. reading a number instead of a needle will be much easier .

http://salestores.com/protek96.html
test leads also included
this place takes paypal also

http://www.multimeterwarehouse.com/MS2102f.htm
test leads and case are included
they take paypal so i wouldnt be concerned about ordering from them if you choose

randyp · Post by **randyp** » Thu Feb 24, 2011 11:17 am

Larry, let me reinforce what some of the guys said here.....get a multimeter and you can check anything anytime and not have to bother with one dedicated voltage or amp meter (or both). All the multimeters come with very good directions. The one I bought a few years ago came from Radio Shack and was under $20. It can be used for AC and DC circuits and I use it at home and on the boat. You can check amps, volts, resistance (for circuit contiunity - as in is the circuit working or is it shorted out----used this to determine my hot water heater element was shot before I took it apart and replaced the element). It's a very handy tool and has a lot of uses - hence the multi in the mulitmeter name.

I think it's great that you're taking the time to learn about new circuits, and measuring their effectiveness. I'm a Saturday Morning Electrician (when I'm not being a Sat Morn Plumber or Carpenter) and I learned a lot of my tricks from the posts on this forum. Keep on asking questions. You're on the right track and sooner than you think, you'll be dangerous!

Best luck,,

Randy

g36 · Post by **g36** » Thu Feb 24, 2011 12:10 pm

both are multimeters
you cannot check amps with a standard meter unless the unit is in the circuit. thats what is convient with a meter with an amp clamp. and most standard meters are 10A dc max so you have to worry about polarity and you have to worry about blowing the internal fuse in the meter. with my suggestion you dont have to unwire and wire in the meter you just clamp it over the wire and take a reading. $58. too much well. for larry and convience i still say buy one of these or similiar.

randyp · Post by **randyp** » Thu Feb 24, 2011 3:39 pm

Good idea. The clamp is the way to go. Keeps things simple.

rbcool · Post by **rbcool** » Sat Feb 26, 2011 9:15 am

I Agree with TC......... go with multi-meter and your good for most anything on your boat.

Ron

larglo · Post by **larglo** » Sat Feb 26, 2011 10:16 am

Thanks guy's for all your help. I have changed my mind on this one 3 or 4 times now on which to get.

I think, I'll think on it some more.

Larry

g36 · Post by **g36** » Sun Feb 27, 2011 5:46 pm

again both are multimeters with a built in amp clamp. is this difficult to understand? there is no difference except you have the added benefit of the clamp to take amp readings without breaking the circuit. larry are you reading the private messages i responded to?this isnt difficult to understand