Panel Meters

[Anonymous]

Back in the 1970s, a company named TAB sold a variety of electronic parts suitable for model railroading. At the time, I purchased a few of their ammeters and voltmeters. The meters are about 2-1/4 inches square, and have a black metal case with a glass window. The ammeter has "D. C. AMPERES" above the scale , which reads up to 2.5 amps in both polarities, with a zero cehter position. The voltmeter has "D. C. VOLTS" above the scale, and reads 20 volts in both polarities, with a zero center position. Below the scales on both meters the word "TABTRON" is printed in red italic capital letters.
I'd like to hear from someone who has at least one of each of these meters that they'd like to sell.

[cacole]

Meters like those are still available, but not with the TAB brand name on them. Check electronics supply houses such as Mouser Electronics. http://www.mouser.com

[Anonymous]

New meters, from people like Mouser or DigiKey http://www.digikey.com can be pretty expensive. But their always seem to be lots on eBay.

[MisterBeasley]

Try http://www.demarelectronics.com/ and scroll down on the left-hand window until you come to Meters.

[Blind Bruce]

It is true that moving coil meters are expensive these days. The old Tab meters were very rugged, cheap, and not very accurate. Used meters are a gamble as most can be damaged electrically as well as mechanically. A cracked pivot may not show up right away but can cause the meter to stick randomly.There are a lot of circuits out there that will enable you to build your own digital meter as well. Just something to think about.
BB

[nedthomas]

JAMECO Electronics sell a good meter in the 9-10 dollar range. Most meters are higher in the $20 range. "0 " center meters are hard to find. Just rewire your panel to put the meters before the reversing switch. www.jameco.com

0-15 volt Part # 316603CJ
0-5 amp Part # 316566CJ