Volts-Amps monitor - UK Vintage Radio Repair and Restoration Discussion Forum

greenstar · 18th Mar 2016, 6:50 pm

I'm a little embarrassed to share this, as it's pretty basic, but have found these extremely useful. I found myself keep needing to measure current and voltage from power supplies, and made up the first from cheap LED panel meters. It's great with a solar panel and charging batteries. It wasn't very sensitive and had limited range, so, realising you can get adequate multimeters for about £3.50, made up the second, which I use when reforming electrolytics. I really need to add a cover to keep my fingers clear when hooked up to HT. They save a lot of space on the bench.
Tony

Diabolical Artificer · 19th Mar 2016, 6:08 am

Neat idea, no need to be embarrassed, it's a solution to a problem, I might nick the idea. : ) Am still mucking about with separate meters, a similar small unit tucked away on the side of the bench would be handy.

Ta for sharing, Andy.

Dan Payne · 19th Mar 2016, 11:35 am

Thanks for the post, this is a great idea for a limited space bench.
Cheers

greenstar · 19th Mar 2016, 7:17 pm

Having made these up, I find myself using them using them almost constantly. The LED version is hooked up to my small solar panel (battery charging and low wattage back up power). The other one is going to be used soon with a voltage divider and eliminator to get the HT right for a battery radio. Please try to ignore the melted insulation on the connectors in the first photo, the result of a senior moment while connecting a battery for charging! Thanks for your feedback Dan and Andy.

18th Mar 2016, 6:50 pm	#1
greenstar Octode Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Leicester, Leics. UK. Posts: 1,684	Volts-Amps monitor I'm a little embarrassed to share this, as it's pretty basic, but have found these extremely useful. I found myself keep needing to measure current and voltage from power supplies, and made up the first from cheap LED panel meters. It's great with a solar panel and charging batteries. It wasn't very sensitive and had limited range, so, realising you can get adequate multimeters for about £3.50, made up the second, which I use when reforming electrolytics. I really need to add a cover to keep my fingers clear when hooked up to HT. They save a lot of space on the bench. Tony Attached Thumbnails

19th Mar 2016, 6:08 am	#2
Diabolical Artificer Dekatron Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Sleaford, Lincs. UK. Posts: 7,658	Re: Volts-Amps monitor Neat idea, no need to be embarrassed, it's a solution to a problem, I might nick the idea. : ) Am still mucking about with separate meters, a similar small unit tucked away on the side of the bench would be handy. Ta for sharing, Andy. __________________ Curiosity hasn't killed this cat...so far.

19th Mar 2016, 11:35 am	#3
Dan Payne Triode Join Date: Jul 2015 Location: Pickering, Ontario, Canada Posts: 33	Re: Volts-Amps monitor Thanks for the post, this is a great idea for a limited space bench. Cheers

19th Mar 2016, 7:17 pm	#4
greenstar Octode Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Leicester, Leics. UK. Posts: 1,684	Re: Volts-Amps monitor Having made these up, I find myself using them using them almost constantly. The LED version is hooked up to my small solar panel (battery charging and low wattage back up power). The other one is going to be used soon with a voltage divider and eliminator to get the HT right for a battery radio. Please try to ignore the melted insulation on the connectors in the first photo, the result of a senior moment while connecting a battery for charging! Thanks for your feedback Dan and Andy.