Panel Mount Ammeter
Printed From: R-pod Owners Forum
Category: R-pod Discussion Forums
Forum Name: Podmods, Maintenance, Tips and Tricks
Forum Discription: Ask maintenance questions, share your podmods (modifications) and helpful tips
URL: http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=10788
Printed Date: 30 Jun 2025 at 1:32am
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 9.64 - http://www.webwizforums.com
Topic: Panel Mount Ammeter
Posted By: JandL
Subject: Panel Mount Ammeter
Date Posted: 11 Oct 2017 at 3:42pm
I installed a DC ammeter from muRata Power Solutions so I could monitor my battery. I already have installed a very nice volt meter from the same company. I picked these meters because they were very accurate and so you end up paying a little more for that accuracy. The shunt is installed as a Low-Side Shunt meaning it’s installed in the ground or negative wire. I had to change how the trailer ground wire was originally wired. On my trailer the ground wire attaches to the battery and runs a short distance under the trailer and attaches to the frame. Inside the trailer coming off the ground thermal block is a wire that attaches to a different part of the frame where the cable exits the floor of trailer. When I got my trailer I made up a 6 gauge cable to connect these 2 points on the frame together. I do not like running current thru the steel frame, steel is not as good of a connector as copper is. To wire in the meter I had to have a single, continuous cable from the battery to where I mounted the shunt inside the trailer and from the other side of shunt a cable to the ground terminal block. I still have a 6 gauge cable from the ground terminal block to the frame; and it is to bond the frame for the AC ground or or safety ground wire so everything is at the same potential, 0 volts. I can now monitor my battery charge/discharge current. It will show when I have my solar panels up how much the battery is charging minus what I am using at the time. The meter will show a – negative on the display if current is leaving the battery. When I have it hooked to AC and the battery charger is supplying the current the – negative symbol goes away and will show what is going back into the battery. If you are looking for a meter that is cheaper and slightly less accurate Blue Sea has come out with 2 very nice panel meters.
muRata Power Solutions, 3.5 digit, Subminiature DC Ammeter DCA5-20PC-2-DC1-RL ($50 Mouser Electronics)
Accuracy ± 0.15%
Resolution 0.1A
Operating Current 15mA
http://www.murata-ps.com/en/dca5-20pc-2-dc1-rl-c.html - Subminiature DC Ammeter
muRata 100 amp 50mV shunt #3020-01099-0 ($21 Mouser Electronics)
http://www.murata-ps.com/en/3020-01099-0.html - 100 amp shunt
http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=7630 - Volt meter and TV sound bar
Blue Sea Systems Mini DC Voltmeter 12V DC #1733 ($38 Amazon)
Accuracy ± 1.0%
Resolution 0.01 DC
Operating Current 15mA
https://www.bluesea.com/products/1733/Mini_OLED_DC_Voltmeter - Mini DC Voltmeter
Blue Sea Systems Mini Ammeter #1732 ($62 Amazon) comes with 100 amp 50mV shunt
Accuracy ± 2%
Resolution 0.1A
Operating Current 15mA
https://www.bluesea.com/products/1732/Mini_OLED_Ammeter - Mini Ammeter
-------------
JandL
2013 Honda Ridgeline
2012 177
2 Paynes in a Pod
|
Replies:
Posted By: sailor323
Date Posted: 11 Oct 2017 at 4:43pm
|
Glad to see that others pay attention to charge/discharge rates. I use a Xantrex battery monitor. It reads the voltage of the battery, shows charge/discharge rate and (this is important) keeps track of amp hours used.
|
Posted By: geewizard
Date Posted: 12 Oct 2017 at 8:59am
I installed a Victron BMV-702 which gives me the ability to monitor the battery bank (as one with current) and the solar panel voltage as well. Quite happy with that.
https://www.amazon.com/Victron-BMV-702-Battery-Monitor/dp/B00MJ85E2U - https://www.amazon.com/Victron-BMV-702-Battery-Monitor
-------------
2021 Winnebago Micro Minnie 1708FB
2017 R-Pod 177 (Blue) HRE SOLD
2004 Outfitter Apex 8 camper
2014 Toyota Tundra DC
|
|