Trains.com

Subscriber & Member Login

Login, or register today to interact in our online community, comment on articles, receive our newsletter, manage your account online and more!

LED panel meter wanted

951 views
3 replies
1 rating 2 rating 3 rating 4 rating 5 rating
  • Member since
    January 2005
  • From: Winnipeg Canada
  • 1,637 posts
LED panel meter wanted
Posted by Blind Bruce on Tuesday, July 6, 2010 4:20 PM

I am looking for a low cost LED panel meter. Should be 20 mA and have large, bright digits. This is to use with the DCC ammeper offered by Rob Paisley. I have checked many on line distributors but cannot seem to find one for less than $20

73

Bruce in the Peg

  • Member since
    October 2006
  • From: Western, MA
  • 8,571 posts
Posted by richg1998 on Tuesday, July 6, 2010 4:47 PM

 I use a PM128 DPM I purchased some years ago. I sent you a email with a ebay link. $7.95 and about $5.00 shipping. I use this meter for my Paisley amp meter.

There are LCD meters with back light that you can see better.

LED is the best.

 Also, do a Google search for LED Digital Panel Meters

You can also search ebay for LED Digital Panel Meters

I have bought a 5.6 inch LED for about $10 off of ebay. Be careful, some sellers are in China and it can take longer to get to you. I found a USA seller for the two I have purchased but they were configured for 20 volts which is what I prefer to do. I use the older Paisley amp meter which he designed to read voltage.

They have to be configured to read 20 ma. There are jumpers and resistors to set them up.

Generally the LED are more expensive than the LCD.

Rich

If you ever fall over in public, pick yourself up and say “sorry it’s been a while since I inhabited a body.” And just walk away.

  • Member since
    March 2007
  • 2,751 posts
Posted by Allegheny2-6-6-6 on Tuesday, July 6, 2010 11:56 PM
Just my 2 cents worth, I spent the rest on trains. If you choked a Smurf what color would he turn?
  • Member since
    October 2006
  • From: Western, MA
  • 8,571 posts
Posted by richg1998 on Wednesday, July 7, 2010 11:24 AM

Allegheny2-6-6-6

 

One thing to be aware of, those meters have a common ground with the powers supply ground. Use a wall wart for power. The operating power common/ground has to be free of anything else.

Battery operation can get old quick. An LCD DPM can run for some time on battery but the LED zdpm eats up power faster.

Some DPM's have isolated grounds. The DPM specs usually call out common or isolated ground.

I have a DPM on amps and volts. both have their own wall warts which are cheap enough.

You do not want to affect the dcc signal.

Your mileage may vary.

Rich

If you ever fall over in public, pick yourself up and say “sorry it’s been a while since I inhabited a body.” And just walk away.

Subscriber & Member Login

Login, or register today to interact in our online community, comment on articles, receive our newsletter, manage your account online and more!

Users Online

There are no community member online

Search the Community

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Model Railroader Newsletter See all
Sign up for our FREE e-newsletter and get model railroad news in your inbox!