Amp Meter

[Newport Bob]

Main,
Took your advice and installed a smart gauge last spring. THANKS
Gives the essential info! Certainly better than the std meters I have had on previous boats.
But with Solbain solar panels on the bimini, refrig compressors, etc would like to know the various amp loads.
What would you recommend for an amp meter? Would like to see the change with turning various loads off, etc.
As an aside, spent seven days (of sun) w/o running the diesel due to the Solbain panels.

Thanks,
Bob

 

[ramblinrod]

I like the Blue Sea VSM 422 Vessel Monitoring System.

It will monitor the house bank (with a lot of data), starter battery (voltage only), up to 3 tanks, and the bilge pump.

Provides a lot of bang for the buck.

 

[Stu Jackson]

I like the Blue Sea VSM 422 Vessel Monitoring System.

It will monitor the house bank (with a lot of data), starter battery (voltage only), up to 3 tanks, and the bilge pump.

Provides a lot of bang for the buck.

That appears to be a nice unit. You could buy a Victron 600 for a lot less, but it wouldn't do all that stuff.

If your solar controller shows what's going in, then the rest of the loads have been documented so well over the years, that the only thing you need to know is how long you keep anything on.

I do agree, however, that knowing what's going back in is truly useful. The SG does that in its own way.