Tim HJ61 (WA) posted:

ACDC,

Soooow, are the Astro Model 101N Super Whattmeter Site Link and "Watts Up" RC
Battery & Power Analyser Site Link

or the Xantrex Battery Monitor link 10

old technology or new impedence technology?

I'm not sure which posting you're referring to.

Tim

Member - Mike DID posted:

The Super Whatmeter, Whatts Up and the Link are accumulating currnet meters - they measure the total amount of current flowing in and out of a battery. This tells you the actual amphours that are put into or taken out of the battery.

The Watts Up can only measure current flow in ONE direction.

The Super Whatmeter and Whatts Up are really only designed for Radio Controlled models. The wire is only 3mmsq. Be careful using them in a car because the current sensing resistor is in the Earth lead so they will not work in a car where the load is earthed - e.g. a radio is also earthed via the aerial.

Impedance Capacity testing refers to instantaneous testing of battery capacity without knowing anything about the charge or discharge currents - it doesn't apply to any of these units.

Mike

Tim HJ61 (WA) posted:

Thanks Mike,

That's really helpful feedback.

My take on these units then is that they are probably really good as a test device when you want to know for example, how much the fridge is drawing, or what is being used through the inverter - i.e. not items that have a separate earth and the gadget can be used in series with the power supply cable for each separate device.

And they are not so good for permanent mounting, due in part to the thin wiring.

Strange how they rate the things at 50A cont and 100A intermittant, then only use 3mmsq wiring.....

Thanks
Tim