Ammeter?

[SmartAlecLights]

Hi,

I've got some ACS712 chips that I am hoping to connect to my PI, so that I can monitor and log the current over the network during the show.

i hope you have more luck than i have had with them.. ive noticed they dont allways measure right.. but thats with the arduino's.. but then it could just be my bad coding using there there examples..lol

 

[ShimmerNZ]

How fast do these meters react?
as i have pure white for like 1sec max..
is there any out there that will show the peak amps an keep in on the display for 5seconds?

I've grabbed myself a bunch of the same ones as bpj1980. They looked to have about a 0.5 ms refresh rate. Just fine for my purposes and they look kinda nice too.

Photo's of the install

 

[B_P_J]

They look great, very nicely done, neat and tidy install too, I need to get a few more for mine, then I can do some show & tell too,
Good work mate.

 

[ShimmerNZ]

Have made a further addition, so as well as vol/current draw I can now see the temp of the power supply case.

Link to thermometer:
http://www.aliexpress.com/item/Hot-Green-Portable-Thermometer-DC12V-Digital-Thermometer-Temp-2m-meter-Probe-50-110C-Detector-Infrared-Thermometer/32584432793.html

 

[fasteddy]

This looks great, I wonder if will be able to detect shorts created by rain due to increased current draw.

 

[pmflav]

Use a fuse block. Something like below.
http://www.aliexpress.com/store/product/10-Port-Way-Car-Automotive-ATO-APR-Fuse-Block-Output-Box-Holder-Terminal-W-Set/1945034_32634805917.html


As you won't be watching the display all the time. Noting the displays are rated up to 10A, which is ideal for the power supplies, but you will want the fuse for 8-9A, just below the max for the displays and power supplies. Or you can get some cirtuit breakers for each power out line. Long list of options.

 

[deblen]

I have used things like these on some boxes I built:


http://www.ebay.com/itm/DC-100V-10A-Voltmeter-Ammeter-Blue-Red-LED-Dual-Digital-Volt-Amp-Meter-Gauge-/131577787046?hash=item1ea2a5b2a6:g:lFcAAOSwMmBVzF8~


I had the boxes mounted on posts under my deck and with these facing the house away from the traffic, they made it handy to walk through and see what was going on quickly.
I installed them with a plexiglass face over the display to waterproof them and so far they have lasted for 6 years on the oldest one.


Just FYI, this is for a generic meter that I just looked up on eBay. I use similar ones but with shunts for some and different meters for others.
Pretty much need to design the right ones for what you want to monitor. I know you can buy remote shunts and devices to monitor voltage and/or amperage but that can get costly quickly.


Would be kind of fun to be able to sit in the office and see what each "box" was drawing out there in the display though!

Hi, I purchased some of these a while ago, At what point would I need a shunt, or not.


If I need a shunt, any recommendations.


Thanks


Deblen