Panel volt meter

[amos]

    I am interested in getting a meter simple to measure track voltage-this is to be a panel type I can hardwire into my layout. I could also use one that sat on the table top. I did do a search of this forum;however, I chose to ask you folks outright.  I just want to be able to read track voltage without hooking up a multimeter. Thanks.

[desertdog]

Micro-Mark sells a panel type voltmeter and also an ammeter. They are easy to install and connect. Under $20 for the pair as I recall. John Timm

[joeyj1575]

Check out this link

http://www.allelectronics.com//index.php?page=category&id=385&p=1&template=

You can use a DC meter if you put a bridge rectifier on the meter it will change the AC from the transformer to DC. DC meter's are more common and cheaper.

JoeJ

[amos]

Thanks for the replies. I'd like a meter that goes up to about 30v. I'm not clear about the "bridge rectifier" you mention. When I read track voltage with my multimeter it reads about 18.1v on the ac scale-( I think and I'll verify tonight) I'm sure I can solder in anything that is needed as lon g as I have directions. I also like to understand the  "why" part of these things. It teaches me more for the long run.Thanks again for the information.

[amos]

from the ad for those two on their web site:

Not for use with DCC systems or AC systems like Lionel.
 

Nice meters,though.

[joeyj1575]

Try this link

http://www.google.com/custom?hl=en&client=pub-1368128364707118&cof=FORID:1%3BGL:1%3BS:http://www.gnet.com/%3BL:http://www.gnet.com/art/gnetcolors.gif%3BLH:46%3BLW:300%3BLBGC:FFFFFF%3BLC:%230033cc%3BVLC:%23003399%3BGFNT:%237777cc%3BGIMP:%237777cc%3BDIV:%23339966%3B&oe=ISO-8859-1&ei=TmbjSZLVI9HrlQfxxajgDg&sa=X&oi=spell&resnum=0&ct=result&cd=1&q=bridge+rectifier+circuits&spell=1

[A&Y Ry]

The Shurite 0-25 range Vac, part # 8412Z is a very useful 2-1/4" x 2-1/2" w/2" barrel panel volt meter for a Toy Train application. About $23. Simple wiring across the line[parallel].

Search: Allied Ellectronics, Raleigh, N.C.  1-800-433-5700,   www.alliedelec.com

           Newark Electronics, Chicago

[ADCX Rob]

amos

    I am interested in getting a meter simple to measure track voltage-this is to be a panel type I can hardwire into my layout...

...Thanks for the replies. I'd like a meter that goes up to about 30v...

 

HERE you go!

 

Check out their AC ammeters too.

Rob

[lionelsoni]

Putting a bridge rectifier on a DC voltmeter will result in a meter that reads low by about 10 percent, with an additional loss of about a volt.

[dwiemer]

Bob, I have thought about having two feeds from the tracks to a spot on the control panel that I could just hook my Fluke meter up to.  Would this give an accurate reading?  I would use this just for testing during different problem solving issues, etc.

Thanks for all your advice over the years!
Dennis

[lionelsoni]

Sure.  If you want to measure a CW80's voltage, you need a true-RMS meter, which yours might be--Fluke does make some of these.

You're welcome!

[amos]

 Thanks A&Y and Rob! I really appreciate the help. I'm not the lazy type, Ijust would not have known what type of meter would be good for this application. Thanks again!

[Civil War]

 If I were to want an amp meter, what range would be best? Are we talking about amps, or miliamps?

 

 

[ADCX Rob]

 AMPS.

0-15 amps would be a useful range for individual power districts.

Rob

[dsmith]

Terry, I use 0 - 5 amp AC meters on my layout.  My postwar engines draw about 1 1/2 to 2 amps.  Add a few lighted cars and current can go up another 1/2 amp.  Sometimes I run 2 trains on the same track and current can go up to almost 5 amps total.

[amos]

I ordered two volt meters and one amp meter.

[lionelsoni]

Note that "amp meter" is spelled "ammeter"...;-)

[Civil War]

 I was an electrician for 26 years. We called it an amp meter. Try googling amp meter.

 

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[lionelsoni]

I have been an electrical engineer for 44 years.  We called it an "ammeter".

Google hits for "amp meter"--128000.  Google hits for "ammeter"--1050000.

Entries in the IEEE Standard Dictionary of Electrical and Electronics Terms for "amp meter"--0.

Entries for "ammeter"--1.

[Civil War]

 How do you spell nit picker?

 

A rose by any other name. I bet everyone understands what an amp meter is.

 

 

[lionelsoni]

Everyone but Google.  Search for "amp meter" and you get one-eighth as many hits, mostly folks who don't know how to spell it, and so only a small fraction of those who might have what you're looking for.  It's like searching for "rows" when you want a flower--a rose by any other name just doesn't work.

[Civil War]

 I am not an esteemed electrical engineer. I have no need for an IEEE Standard Dictionary of Electrical and Electronics Terms I just fixed generators and breaker systems in a nuclear power plant. I did google amp meter, and got 418,000 hits. How many does one need to find an ammeter? I googled ammeter and got 1,010,000. I don't think I need more than about 50 hits to find what I am looking for. I'm not that picky.

 

[amos]

http://www.lightobject.com/AC-0-30V-Analog-Panel-Votage-Meter-P272.aspx

 

 Civil-here is where I ordered my meters. A volt meter is shown  center page and if you scroll to lower left you will see the amp meter. ACDX was kind enough to guide me to this site. I received them today(Thur.) and I'm well pleased.