New Cheaper Wattmeter

[Deleted member 4366]

I used to recommend this one:
60V 100A Battery Analyzer Checker Balancer Voltage Power Watt Meter Servo Test | eBay
but I've just seen this one, which is even cheaper. I've ordered one to see what it does:
New Digital 60V/100A Battery Balance LCD Voltage Power Analyzer Watt Meter | eBay

 

[Marctwo]

Nice one Dave. I've ordered one.

 

[Deleted member 4366]

In case you don't know, It's best to keep the wires as short as possible unless you want to use very thick wire that makes your bike look ugly. With the other type, it's possible to remove the shunt and fix it between the controller and battery with thin wires running to the wattmeter display that you can then mount on the handlebars. Hopefully, it'll be possible to do this on the new one, which looks much easier to waterproof than the other one.

 

[Marctwo]

Cheers, I'm also hoping to seperate the shunt. I'll likely end up following your instructions for this... lol.

If I can't remove the shunt then I doubt it'll go on my handle bars. But at that price, it's worth getting just to have a look inside it.

 

[Deleted member 4366]

It arrived today. I'll test it next week and then externalise the shunt. It looks much easier on this one than the other one because it has a solid-state shunt rather than two pieces of wire. Unfortunately no instructions with it, but it has two trim-pots inside to adjust for better accuracy. Also there's a three pin connector one end. I wonder what that's for? It looks very easy to waterproof too, or you could take the insides out and mount in a waterproof box. Loads of options.

 

[shemozzle999]

Also there's a three pin connector one end. I wonder what that's for?

INSTRUCTIONS FOR CONNECTING AUXILIARY

Using Auxiliary Power
By connecting a receiver battery pack (of at least 4.0 V) or other power source to the 3-pin connector on the SOURCE side, the Watt Meter can measure down to 0 V. Pin 1 is Negative (0 Volts), pin 2 (middle pin) is Positive. Pin 1 is the pin farthest from the Meter SOURCE wires. Pin 3, on meter is for reset of accumulated readings.

Applying Power
The Meter requires a power source providing a minimum of 4.0 V to operate. This can come from a power source (battery or charger) on the LOAD or SOURCE side or from the auxiliary 3-pin SOURCE power input connector. If you connect an auxiliary power source of 4.0 V or more (e.g. small receiver battery pack), the Meter operates independently of power sources on the LOAD or SOURCE leads. This allows measurements down to 0V, e.g. for measuring a single cell main pack.

 

[jhruk]

Mine arrived this morning as well. I’ve just tried it and before adjustment it read .22A with no load – so just as well it has the trim pots!

I guess the three pin connector is for an auxiliary power supply, similar to the Turnigy or Watts-Up, so the instruction for those might be useful for those without them :

Turnigy
Watts-Up

 

[Deleted member 4366]

Thanks for that. Where did you get it from? Is there more?

I wonder if it works like a CA remembering its accumulated data until you reset it, in which case I need to add a reset switch - presumably pin 3 to ground.

 

[shemozzle999]

From a US seller on ebay, also shows the data sheet:


ADVANCE DC WATT METER with SERVO WIRE - Realtime DataLogging Volt-Amp-Watt-Ah-Wh | eBay