Wiring ammeter

lardarse
Member

Posts: 61

Wiring ammeter Mar 1, 2017 20:01:06 GMT

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Post by lardarse on Mar 1, 2017 20:01:06 GMT

Following my roaring success in wiring in a cig lighter, with plenty of help from here, next on my agenda is an ammeter. Either the one Smileypete linked to here www.ebay.co.uk/itm/0-100V-200A-DC-Digital-LED-Voltmeter-Ammeter-Amp-Volt-Meter-200A-shunt-12v-24v/291398991605?clk_rvr_id=1175724129984&rmvSB=true or perhaps this one linked to by Ditchcrawler www.ebay.co.uk/itm/172278832443?_trksid=p2060353.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&clk_rvr_id=1175713144640&rmvSB=true

I am happy enough with the order of things as in from battery neg>shunt>connections. As it stands now all my connections, perhaps 7-8 go to one battery post and there is no way that they are all going on the connecting point on those shunts so i was thinking :- link from battery to shunt then link from shunt to this 10mm distribution post www.altecautomotive.co.uk/power-distribution-posts---------------6mm-x28m6x29-8mm-x28m8x29--10mm-x28m10x29-3295-p.asp?uid=b13d6ebc-1299-4dc4-aa2b-cf43512ea311 to which all the negs will be connected and then encase the shunt and the post in some form of box.

Are there any flaws in this plan that needs a bit of re-jigging.

Thanks in advance for any replies which i will probably be able to read but not reply to to speedily at the moment as it is painful posting on this connection were i am at present.

Jim Super Member I'm a handsome gutless invertebrate. Posts: 15,951	Wiring ammeter Mar 2, 2017 9:21:56 GMT via mobile Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Back to Top Post by Jim on Mar 2, 2017 9:21:56 GMT Can you not fit an earth bar to comment everything to after the ammeter, instead of a single post?
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Telemachus
Super Member

Posts: 13,545

Wiring ammeter Mar 2, 2017 9:39:00 GMT

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Post by Telemachus on Mar 2, 2017 9:39:00 GMT

Yes that post would be ok if it's big enough (remember it needs to be able to take an additional wire from post to shunt). These things work primarily by conduction across the face of the terminals, not by conduction through the stud, so it's best to organise the terminals in an order than minimises the distance between cables with high currents flowing in them. Also remember that you have to have room for the crimped part of the terminals which means they have to be in substantially different angular positions, ie say 4 entry directions at 90 degrees to each other.

oh and be careful, shunts can get hot if subject to high currents so I'd not box it in. You need to let them cool by convection.

Last Edit: Mar 2, 2017 9:41:44 GMT by Telemachus

Deleted Deleted Member Posts: 0	Wiring ammeter Mar 2, 2017 10:13:54 GMT Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Back to Top Post by Deleted on Mar 2, 2017 10:13:54 GMT That ammeter appears to measure current in one direction only. You need one that measures load current and charging current, so a 200-0-200 or 0 - +/- 200A. It would be a shame to go to all that effort to do half a job. Maybe I misread the ad?
	Last Edit: Mar 2, 2017 10:17:20 GMT by Deleted

Telemachus
Super Member

Posts: 13,545

Wiring ammeter Mar 2, 2017 10:19:36 GMT

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Post by Telemachus on Mar 2, 2017 10:19:36 GMT

Mar 2, 2017 10:13:54 GMT @kelper said:

That ammeter appears to measure current in one direction only. You need one that measures load current and charging current, so a 200-0-200 or 0 - +/- 200A. It would be a shame to go to all that effort to do half a job. Maybe I misread the ad?

I didn't look at the links but now I do yes you are certainly right about the first one. The second one does mention bidirectional current measuring but it all seems a little confusing and possibly faffy.

Deleted Deleted Member Posts: 0	Wiring ammeter Mar 2, 2017 10:44:48 GMT Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Back to Top Post by Deleted on Mar 2, 2017 10:44:48 GMT I've looked at the second one before. I'd like to see one close up, to gauge the quality. It's a shame there isn't a US, UK or EU made version.
	Last Edit: Mar 2, 2017 19:43:23 GMT by Deleted

JohnV
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Posts: 17,243

Wiring ammeter Mar 2, 2017 13:15:52 GMT

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Post by JohnV on Mar 2, 2017 13:15:52 GMT

If this is the Drok one from Amazon then yes it does read current in one direction only BUT if you reverse the connections on the shunt it will read current flow in the opposite direction.
(there is a tiny error in the voltage reading) I have mine connected to a changeover switch so I can read current flow in either direction

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phil70 Long Standing Member Posts: 4,178	Wiring ammeter Mar 2, 2017 14:45:00 GMT via mobile Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Back to Top Post by phil70 on Mar 2, 2017 14:45:00 GMT Blue sky thinking John, blue sky and outside the box Phil
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Post by lardarse on Mar 1, 2017 20:01:06 GMT

Post by Jim on Mar 2, 2017 9:21:56 GMT

Post by Telemachus on Mar 2, 2017 9:39:00 GMT

Post by Deleted on Mar 2, 2017 10:13:54 GMT

Post by Telemachus on Mar 2, 2017 10:19:36 GMT

Post by Deleted on Mar 2, 2017 10:44:48 GMT

Post by JohnV on Mar 2, 2017 13:15:52 GMT

Post by phil70 on Mar 2, 2017 14:45:00 GMT

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