Solar AMP guage

[mep1811]

I am unsure about the wiring of an AMP gauge I have for my solar system. My goal is to know how many amps are going into my battery. With that in mind I am assuming the gauge is wired up after the controller. Or does it go before the controller and if I see anything over 6 AMPS I know the controller will regulate the power to 6 AMPS. Thanks for your help.

 

[4RunAmok]

You can do this with a WATTS UP meter (http://www.powerwerx.com/digital-meters/dc-inline-watt-meter-power-analyzer-bare-wire.html)

The SOURCE side is hooked to the output of the solar controller, and the LOAD side is hooked to the battery. It will actually give you a lot more information than you asked for, but it covers the basics.

 

[LandCruiserPhil]

Several charge controllers also provide solar output. Morningstar ProStar series comes to mind for ~$125 (PM15M) also will read load.

 

[Dan Grec]

Any 12V amp meter wired in series between the controller and battery should give you what you seek.
I plan to do the same thing, so I can get a good understanding of how much current I'm putting into the battery at any given time.

i.e. parked in the shade, or full sun, or cloudy day, etc.

-Dan

 

[Ausjeeper]

You can do this with a WATTS UP meter (http://www.powerwerx.com/digital-meters/dc-inline-watt-meter-power-analyzer-bare-wire.html)

The SOURCE side is hooked to the output of the solar controller, and the LOAD side is hooked to the battery. It will actually give you a lot more information than you asked for, but it covers the basics.

I checked one of these Watt Meters (similar to the one linked to above) out on a friends solar setup. Very easy to wire in, and I see now you can even buy them with Anderson Plugs already fitted each side of the meter.

I've just bought a Steca type solar regulator, which gives volts and amps readings on a small LCD screen.

 

[Joe917]

TriMetric. http://www.bogartengineering.com/