Source for panel meters

restorick · Feb 14, 2008

Folks,

Reviewing some of the designs here, I see a couple have incorporated panel volt/ammeters.

What's a good source for inexpensive meters? Prefer analog, 'cause they look cool, but digi-meters would be fine too.

Thanks in advance,
Resto

gar · Feb 14, 2008

Go to
www.simpsonelectric.com

This web site is quite good. For example pick Analog Meters near top right, then click on Century, next click Download Datasheet. You will get to a list of all the different units of that model. There are two different sizes in this Century class.

By contrast Allied Radio and Newark (distributors of Simpson) are totally worthless to search for a general type meter and be able to easily view the specific units (ranges and other specs) to allow you to make a decision. These web site developers think in terms of a part number only. They probably never designed a piece of equipment and had to search for what might be useful for their application.

.

restorick · Feb 14, 2008

Gar,

Thanks for the site and info. Unfortunately, the basic meter is about $75, so it's out of my price range for this project.

Thanks again,
Rick

will gilmore · Feb 14, 2008

ive been looking at these. i'll probably get some once my rpc is up and running

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dl...411&ssPageName=STORE:PROMOBOX:ENDSOON#GALLERY

they said shipping for 3 would be $12

gar · Feb 14, 2008

restorick:

Even though the basic price is out of your range the Simpson catalog will be a good reference for you.

Look at Shurite 7407Z
http://www.alliedelec.com/Catalog/I...urite&sid=47816B8071C0617F&No=20&N=4294961096

.

doubleD · Feb 14, 2008

restorick,

I do not know anything about these two ebay sources, but like you I would like to add meters to my RPC, and prefer the analog type. My RPC is working now without the meters, but would like to add them. Because of this, for me, I want the cost for the cosmetic addition low, especially when we need three of them. The second link is 3X the cost of the first.

I am emailing the first for combined shipping cost.
dd

http://cgi.ebay.com/Brand-New-Analo...ryZ58278QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

http://cgi.ebay.com/AC-300V-ANALOG-...ryZ25411QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

bennersaw · Feb 14, 2008

I was thinking of this one because it doesn't need working power...
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=270145640606&ssPageName=MERCOSI_VI_ROSI_PR4_PCN_BIX_Stores&refitem=280188808637&itemcount=4&refwidgetloc=closed_view_item&refwidgettype=osi_widget&_trksid=p284.m185&_trkparms=algo%3DSI%26its%3DI%252BIA%26itu%3DCR%252BIA%252BUCI%26otn%3D4%26ps%3D42

toolnut · Feb 14, 2008

Rick,

Unless you just think meters are attractive there is no real need for them on an RPC. Once you have it tuned, and it starts your loads, you are finished using the meter for anything other than impressing visitors.

macplus · Feb 14, 2008

I do agree with toolnut, as they are very impressive for vistors. But they could serve as a second function, as a visual indictor if something is going wrong inside the panel ( loose connection, shorted or open capacitor ...or something along those lines)

restorick · Feb 14, 2008

Toolnut,

Yeah - it's just for show. The "cool" factor to show my nephews and neighbors that I have the power to harness large amounts of electricity...

Now, if I could only find meters that go to 11.....

Resto

restorick · Feb 14, 2008

doubleD said:
restorick,

I do not know anything about these two ebay sources, but like you I would like to add meters to my RPC, and prefer the analog type. My RPC is working now without the meters, but would like to add them. Because of this, for me, I want the cost for the cosmetic addition low, especially when we need three of them. The second link is 3X the cost of the first.

I am emailing the first for combined shipping cost.
dd

http://cgi.ebay.com/Brand-New-Analo...ryZ58278QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

http://cgi.ebay.com/AC-300V-ANALOG-...ryZ25411QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

DoubleD,

I saw this one too:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=280200591604

Even more impressive because they're used by the Russian military! Ya know they gotta be good!

Restosky

restorick · Feb 14, 2008

will gilmore said:
ive been looking at these. i'll probably get some once my rpc is up and running

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dl...411&ssPageName=STORE:PROMOBOX:ENDSOON#GALLERY

they said shipping for 3 would be $12

Will,

Looks like you'll need a 5v DC power supply for that meter.

Rick

doubleD · Feb 15, 2008

macplus ditto both reasons, with emphysis on the second point and the benefit of the first, is why I am considering adding the meters.

dd

JunkyardJ · Feb 15, 2008

You could check out All Electronics.

I've bought things from them before, and they've always been decent. They have 300 VAC pannel meters for $12 each. You can get digital ones cheaper, but they'll require calibrating with resistors, and an external power source. If it were me I'd put some red LED digital meters on it just for coolness factor, but the analog swing meters are an easy way to go. Anyways, follow the linky.

http://www.allelectronics.com/cgi-bin/item/PMA-300V/385/300V_AC_PANEL_METER_.html

Forrest Addy · Feb 15, 2008

Pardon my kinda sideways hijack of this thread but if your VFD needs a tach meter face with special calibrations, logos, etc, a home computer drawing program and a printer will make up whatever you can get on the screen and print it on high tack PSA paper. Meters come apart easily and the new meter face can stick right on the old. The usual precautions apply.

I post this because quite often someone want a meter to read direct RPM and only a 0-10 volt analog signal is available. This forces the user to post a graph or a chart. How much better if the tach showed RPM's directly in myltiple calibrations for the most used spindle gear configs.

will gilmore · Feb 16, 2008

restorick said:
Will,

Looks like you'll need a 5v DC power supply for that meter.

Rick

Yes, I was going to get a small laptop/harddrive power supply but the ones that dont need a power supply would be a cleaner install.

edit: Also regarding the need vs show for meters. I dont have my rpc built yet but I want to be able to monitor the voltages when running different sides motor loads and when the idler is idling with no load.

Mike Henry · Feb 17, 2008

I've got a pair of NOS Simpson 0-300 VAC meters - anybody interested in them?

Mike

will gilmore · Feb 17, 2008

bennersaw said:
I was thinking of this one because it doesn't need working power...
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=270145640606&ssPageName=MERCOSI_VI_ROSI_PR4_PCN_BIX_Stores&refitem=280188808637&itemcount=4&refwidgetloc=closed_view_item&refwidgettype=osi_widget&_trksid=p284.m185&_trkparms=algo%3DSI%26its%3DI%252BIA%26itu%3DCR%252BIA%252BUCI%26otn%3D4%26ps%3D42

am i crazy or did this link previously lead to a meter that didnt require a seperate power source?

restorick · Feb 18, 2008

Mike Henry said:
I've got a pair of NOS Simpson 0-300 VAC meters - anybody interested in them?

Mike

Mike,

I'm interested. I just sent you a private message.

Thanks,
Rick

jim rozen · Feb 18, 2008

Another vote here for 'we don't need no stinkin' meters' and as for the
question of what's going on inside the panel, once again, 'we don't need
no stinkin' panels...!'

My personal opinion is that meters on rotary converters are like ammeters
on motorcycles. If it's there, you need it for a reason, and that reason
is that the electrical system is badly designed or executed.

I've applied test instruments to my rotary but once the test is done, they
come off again. In my case they were, a Simson meter, a clamp-on
ammeter, or a Fluke portable scope.

Jim

Source for panel meters

Plastic

Stainless

Plastic

Aluminum

Stainless

Aluminum

Plastic

Stainless

Cast Iron

Plastic

Plastic

Plastic

Aluminum

Titanium

Diamond

Aluminum

Titanium

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Plastic

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