Electrical draw question
- Thread starter David W
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ammeters measure current draw
Current (Amps) is measured with an ammeter - either ‘clamp-on’ or ‘in-line’ (series). See “Troubleshooting Marine Engine Electrical Systems”: http://assets.fluke.com/appnotes/electricalpower/B0270b_u.pdf HTH Gord May
Current (Amps) is measured with an ammeter - either ‘clamp-on’ or ‘in-line’ (series). See “Troubleshooting Marine Engine Electrical Systems”: http://assets.fluke.com/appnotes/electricalpower/B0270b_u.pdf HTH Gord May
Depends on What you are Looking For
It depends on how much current you are wanting to measure and how much you want to pay. You can spend a lot of money and get very accurate readings. You can also spend a small amount of money and get readings which are probably good enough. If it is a small amount of current, less than 500ma or so, most digital multimeters will handle it and give you a very accurate reading. Check the specs on the multimeter before you buy. The cost will be as little as $10 to $20. For higher currents, you can go to most auto parts store and get an amp meter. It will probably not be much more accurate than plus or minus five amps or so, but can measure just about any current you are likely to encounter. Just install it per the instructions. The cost should be less than $25.
It depends on how much current you are wanting to measure and how much you want to pay. You can spend a lot of money and get very accurate readings. You can also spend a small amount of money and get readings which are probably good enough. If it is a small amount of current, less than 500ma or so, most digital multimeters will handle it and give you a very accurate reading. Check the specs on the multimeter before you buy. The cost will be as little as $10 to $20. For higher currents, you can go to most auto parts store and get an amp meter. It will probably not be much more accurate than plus or minus five amps or so, but can measure just about any current you are likely to encounter. Just install it per the instructions. The cost should be less than $25.
Link 10, 20 or E-meter
Hi David - Good info from other posts (great link from Fluke, Gord!). For general knowledge of the state of your batteries and info on input (from alternator, charger, or other) and for draw, a great addition is a meter that runs all your current through a shunt. The Link-10 or E-meter works great (Link 20 for dual banks), but there are several others out there. It's better to know what's up with your batteries rather than relying on dimming lights or weird water pump noises! Just a suggestion, Trevor
Hi David - Good info from other posts (great link from Fluke, Gord!). For general knowledge of the state of your batteries and info on input (from alternator, charger, or other) and for draw, a great addition is a meter that runs all your current through a shunt. The Link-10 or E-meter works great (Link 20 for dual banks), but there are several others out there. It's better to know what's up with your batteries rather than relying on dimming lights or weird water pump noises! Just a suggestion, Trevor
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