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acefaser · 05-31-2011, 08:21 PM

3 bad parts: 1. Volt meter 2. Amp meter 3. 1 DC power supply.
Don't think I hooked any up incorrectly, however the volt meter said 5 volts for the power supply and the ebay auction instructions said use 12v. I started with 5 to be safe and it didn't power up until I increased it to 12v. I don't think trying it at 5v would hurt the meter. It powered up fine at 12v but wouldn't read voltage.
I don't think I caused any of the items to fail, however you never know...
Had I done a search on your forum or other forums,i probably would not have incorporated them into the build due to the problems people have with them. Even people in this thread and your forum have ordered multiples of the same meter because of the problems/faults.
I agree they look good and give it some bling so maybe I won't be so bitter once my build is complete.

Nail · 05-31-2011, 09:32 PM

Glad I decided not to include these. Although they are definitely cool, I couldn't justify the extra cost for something that isn't needed.

audger · 06-01-2011, 03:29 PM

i never understood the usage of a voltmeter on a brew controller... amperage maybe (even still- you only need to figure out how many amps you are pulling once, not continuously), but voltage should not matter to anything, it shouldnt be different from the rest of the house wiring.

**kal** · 06-01-2011, 03:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by audger

i never understood the usage of a voltmeter on a brew controller... amperage maybe (even still- you only need to figure out how many amps you are pulling once, not continuously), but voltage should not matter to anything, it shouldnt be different from the rest of the house wiring.

Absolutely correct.

The biggest reason why I added the amp/volt meter were because (a) I had room, (b) I thought they'd look good and match the blue power light nicely (yes, vain), (c) the cost is negligible in the grand scheme of things, (d) and because they can help to troubleshoot at a glance if needed (though this is questionable).

I originally thought about adding the ammeter mostly because I was unsure about the actual total max draw. If you look only at the specs for example, a March 809 pump is said to draw 1.2 amps so two should draw 2.4 amps.

In practice however the two running only add 1 amp to the current draw. The 5500W element draws just under 23A. Other things in the panel draw basically nothing.

The voltmeter also lets me see how crappy the city supply is in the heat of the summer when things are running heavy. I don't think I'd never *not* brew if it was too low but at least I don't feel like I'm straining the grid if I see something near 240V.

Kal

burglar · 06-01-2011, 04:30 PM

I used this and this.

The voltmeter is self powered. I used the Auber counter/timer, and it has a 5v tap on the back, which works perfectly to power the ammeter. Takes a bunch of stuff out of the box, and a lot less that can go wrong.

warehousebrewery · 06-02-2011, 07:27 AM

I agree with Kal, having three failures is odd. I followed Kals procedures and the only problems I had involved my wiring. The diagram on ebay and the diagram on the back of the voltmeter were not the same. I agree that I don't see the point of having a voltmeter. An amp meter for me is very important. I definitely want to see how much current I'm pulling. I have a fluke amp meter (inductive), but a panel meter is much nicer and adds some brewers bling.

**Walker** · 06-02-2011, 08:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kal

the cost is negligible in the grand scheme of things

In the grand scheme of YOUR thing, I would totally agree. Adding a $20 meter in a more minimalist system could represent 5-10% of the electronics costs.

**kal** · 06-02-2011, 08:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Walker

In the grand scheme of YOUR thing, I would totally agree. Adding a $20 meter in a more minimalist system could represent 5-10% of the electronics costs.

Yes, I meant for my control panel. Correct. For someone else it could indeed be more.

Kal

**Bobby_M** · 06-02-2011, 08:42 PM

Let's face it, you can get away with a LOT less of everything and still make beer. The panel meters are just a nice touch on an already over the top system.

**Walker** · 06-02-2011, 08:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bobby_M

Let's face it, you can get away with a LOT less of everything and still make beer. The panel meters are just a nice touch on an already over the top system.

I am now fondly remembering boiling 2 gallons of thick extract wort on the gas stove in 3 gallon pot.....