How can I wire in an ammeter to my panel so that it measures the current from various lights/stereo/cabin stuff? I have a 0-8 A analog ammeter that I have just disconnected. The previous owner had solar panels and used the ammeter with that with some funky wiring techniques. Here's my thought: Ammeters need to be in series, so tap in to the positive side of the electrical panel going to the "cabin" fuse. Bring this wire into the pos side of the ammeter and take another wire back out the other side of the ammeter to the rest of the circuit. Now, how can I do it so that I can turn the ammeter off? I have a toggle switch I can use as well. What do you guys think - should I just leave the darn thing alone and forget it? Thanks in advance, Rob
How can I add an ammeter?
- Thread starter Rob 1981 Cat 3019642
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Bob B.
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Bill Ogilvie
What do you want to measure?
It sounds like you want the ammeter in your panel for appearances sake. That's ok - it might help if you were planning on selling the boat to an Albertan (LOL)! The best place to connect it is in series with the + of your battery; but a center-scale ammeter is what you really want. When charging it'll show + amps and when discharging -. But you need heavy gauge wire for everything and forget about the switch. If you have 2 batteries (and an A/B switch) then 2 ammeters are needed. If the heavy wiring to the meters seems impossible you might want to use a current shunt.
It sounds like you want the ammeter in your panel for appearances sake. That's ok - it might help if you were planning on selling the boat to an Albertan (LOL)! The best place to connect it is in series with the + of your battery; but a center-scale ammeter is what you really want. When charging it'll show + amps and when discharging -. But you need heavy gauge wire for everything and forget about the switch. If you have 2 batteries (and an A/B switch) then 2 ammeters are needed. If the heavy wiring to the meters seems impossible you might want to use a current shunt.
I want to measure...
I want to measure the amount of current being used in the cabin. I have the ammeter but I suppose it could be just a dummy instrument. I have just built an instrument panel and have already done the cutout for it, so it stays whether its hooked up to something or not. I was thinking that with all the cabin lights and stuff, it may be more than 8 amps - which is the max on the ammeter. So I just wanted to flick a switch and see how much current draw I have at a particular time. P.S. The ammeter was the selling feature on the boat - I'm from Alberta! LOL
I want to measure the amount of current being used in the cabin. I have the ammeter but I suppose it could be just a dummy instrument. I have just built an instrument panel and have already done the cutout for it, so it stays whether its hooked up to something or not. I was thinking that with all the cabin lights and stuff, it may be more than 8 amps - which is the max on the ammeter. So I just wanted to flick a switch and see how much current draw I have at a particular time. P.S. The ammeter was the selling feature on the boat - I'm from Alberta! LOL
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Bill Ogilvie
Doesn't sound hard
You have the right idea. If you want to disable the ammeter use a SPDT switch, with 3 terminals arranged in a row. Wire 2 adjacent terminals of the switch in series with the ammeter and the + supply to your cabin, with the center terminal going to the + supply. Connect the remaining terminal to the other ammeter terminal. One position of the switch will put the meter in series and the other position will remove it from the circuit. While you're at it you might want to add a circuit breaker.
You have the right idea. If you want to disable the ammeter use a SPDT switch, with 3 terminals arranged in a row. Wire 2 adjacent terminals of the switch in series with the ammeter and the + supply to your cabin, with the center terminal going to the + supply. Connect the remaining terminal to the other ammeter terminal. One position of the switch will put the meter in series and the other position will remove it from the circuit. While you're at it you might want to add a circuit breaker.
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Mick
Ampmeter
A shunt is required for the ampmeter. The load passes through the shunt, and the ampmeter measures that load in parallel. You will fry that meter if you connect it in series with your load. 8 amps might be ok if you only measure the lights, but unless you have replaced all of the lamps with low draw LED's, 6 or 7 will probably fry the meter.
A shunt is required for the ampmeter. The load passes through the shunt, and the ampmeter measures that load in parallel. You will fry that meter if you connect it in series with your load. 8 amps might be ok if you only measure the lights, but unless you have replaced all of the lamps with low draw LED's, 6 or 7 will probably fry the meter.
I'll give it a shot
I'll try the SPDT switch. What gauge wire do you suggest? I was thinking 12ga or 14ga since its fairly low current for cabin stuff. As far as the shunt...I will try the meter (I had intended on measuring small loads one at a time anyway), and if it doesn't work the way I was hoping, then I will either do some research as to what this shunt thing is all about, or most likely just have a dummy ammeter in the panel. Thanks, -Rob
I'll try the SPDT switch. What gauge wire do you suggest? I was thinking 12ga or 14ga since its fairly low current for cabin stuff. As far as the shunt...I will try the meter (I had intended on measuring small loads one at a time anyway), and if it doesn't work the way I was hoping, then I will either do some research as to what this shunt thing is all about, or most likely just have a dummy ammeter in the panel. Thanks, -Rob
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