Voltage monitoring

[rscott_521]

Just wanted to share my panel meter setup I made for my little layout. I cant believe it took me this long to realize that I've needed something like this. I use the rotary switch to select between 3 different ZW voltages. The panel is made from plexiglass/Lexan.

http://img685.imageshack.us/slideshow/webplayer.php?id=1000984m.jpg

 

[lionelsoni]

When measuring the voltage of modern "transformers", keep in mind that a simple voltmeter is going to have substantial errors when used with phase-control devices, like the CW-80 and other newer Lionel products.  The error with the CW-80, for example, is about 4 volts at mid-range.

[servoguy]

Bob, Now might be a good time to mention that it isn't too difficult to make a true RMS reading voltmeter. Analog Devices makes some analog multipliers that can be used to do this. The AD534 is accurate to 0.25%. Take the AC voltage, square it, filter it, and take the square root. The last time I looked, Skycraft had a few 534s looking for a job. Bruce Baker