Adding meter to existing controller.

[S-Cackalacky]

I found this digital 4 in 1 meter on Amazon that doesn't have any information about what circuit frequency it's rated for. Does anyone know if it will work on USA 60Hz service.

Here's a link:

[acfixer69]

I used one like that a while back it seemed to work, but I just used it as a bench mark. Up and down. Went back to analog amp meter. If you are concerned about frequency for a couple bucks more this will measure that too.

[S-Cackalacky]

Thanks AC! I think I'll go with your recommendation just for the peace of mind. Looks like it adjusts to the frequency of the circuit it's monitoring.

[Yonder]

S-Cack, I use something similar and found that the constant use in a 220 heater circuit burns the display out. My solution was to add a simple push button in the switch line. When i want to set or verify i push the button and the display is on, elsewise its off and not distracting me.

[S-Cackalacky]

I'll take a look on Amazon for a switch. Maybe that's why AC switched to analog meters.

[bluefish_dist]

The only time I have heard of the meters failing is when the power side is wired after the scr. I ran my meters for years by using line power and then the amp ring on one leg of the heater after the scr. Ran well. Bought several different ones off eBay. The ones that do the power calculations for you are nice so you can just read the power directly.

[S-Cackalacky]

B_d, good point. I've heard that as well, but didn't know about putting the ring on the load side. Thanks for posting.

[Yummyrum]

It won’t matter if the current sensor is immediately before or after the Controller as the same current flows in both parts of the curcuit .
But the voltage measurement has to be on the input to keep the smoke in .

[Oldvine Zin]

I use and like my analog meter, makes it look a a bit frankenstein

OVZ

[Chucker]

I only wanted a simple analog meter, thinking it would be inexpensive, effective enough, and perhaps offer a more stable reading. However I wasn’t finding good Amazon descriptions about connection requirements, if extra parts were needed, or finding the needed range. And I wasn’t willing to go the high cost route and purchase from more specialized sources.
So I caved and got a cheap digital. I figure that it, like the SCR, is both cheap and easy to replace. It’s not like I use it constantly or heavily.

[S-Cackalacky]

The 6 in 1 digital meter was delivered a couple of days go. Now I'm debating with myself about how to install it. My controller is in a metal box. If I go cutting holes into the box, I'll need to uninstal all of the other components so that they don't get contaminated by metal bits and then reinstall everything back into the box. Or, I could buy all new components and build a new controller and keep the old one as a backup. Another option might be to install the meter into a second smaller box and somehow attach it to the existing controller. Maybe I'm way over thinking this.

[jonnys_spirit]

I use a nibbler for making openings (square) into cases - Drill a starter hole and nibble away! Clean up with a file..



Cheers!
-jonny

[S-Cackalacky]

Thanks j_s! Depending on how I decide to go with this, I may order one of those.