ABR Charging meter

Submitted: Saturday, Dec 21, 2013 at 17:10

ThreadID: 105554 Views:3157 Replies:3 FollowUps:9

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Whirlwinder

Hi all,
I have just received and fitted up an ABR " High precision Watt Meter and power Analizer". I fitted 50 Amp Anderson plugs to each side so I could connect it in my solar panel chaging cable to read what is actually being produced and fed into the battery.
Let me tell you it is a good bit of gear for just $39.95 and very usefull. It was tested in a bit of shade so I didn't get great figures but it certainly works a treat.
I highly recommend it and no, Derrick Bester is not my brother-in-law!
Has anyone else tried one?
Ian

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Reply By: Member - Phil G (SA) - Saturday, Dec 21, 2013 at 20:02

Saturday, Dec 21, 2013 at 20:02

Ian,
I'm with you - these devices that measure voltage and current are very useful bit of gear.

I have used a couple of Eflite power meters over the past 10 years for the same purpose as you. They are almost identical to the ABR meter but have been used by the RC plane and car community to monitor their battery packs. I have one installed in line for the Tvan solar panel to display voltage and current and another on the Landcruiser just as a battery voltmeter.

AnswerID: 523357

Follow Up By: hooks - Sunday, Dec 22, 2013 at 09:12

Sunday, Dec 22, 2013 at 09:12

Hi

Are these fitted as additional meters to the existing setup in the van etc.? The standard meter in the van we are to purchase has only a volt meter (regulator) to measure the daily solar input. I queried this and was told that a meter could be fitted to monitor in more detail (amps, hours of charge left etc.) but these are expensive like over $450. The ABR at $39.95 seems ideal.

Bob.

FollowupID: 804750

Follow Up By: Member - Phil G (SA) - Sunday, Dec 22, 2013 at 16:20

Sunday, Dec 22, 2013 at 16:20

Hi Bob,
I fitted my own solar panel on the roof of the Tvan. It is regulated by a Ctek D250S and the power meter is wired between the D250S and the battery. So it measures the battery voltage and the current being put into the battery.
I agree - a $40 amp/volt meter delivers the 2 most important pieces of information and is all you need.
Cheers
Phil

FollowupID: 804774

Follow Up By: Nomadic Navara - Sunday, Dec 22, 2013 at 19:20

Sunday, Dec 22, 2013 at 19:20

All the simple meters do is to show if there is any current going into the battery and how much there is at the time you view it.

What you really want to know is the state of charge (SOC) of your battery. You can do this with a volt meter by resting your battery for a few hours and then measuring the voltage. If you want to know the SOC whilst the system is in operation you need a monitor like hooks mentioned in FollowUp 1. These meters monitor the current flowing into and out of the battery. They incorporate a computer to calculate the SOC by summing the charge and discharge currents. They also take into account the Peukert's constant of the battery to give an accurate reading. You don't get accurate monitors at elcheapo prices.

PeterD
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FollowupID: 804785

Follow Up By: Member - Phil G (SA) - Sunday, Dec 22, 2013 at 20:26

Sunday, Dec 22, 2013 at 20:26

Gday Peter,
They are simple meters, but it's up to the owner to know what to make of the information.
There are only 2 voltage measurements that matter - when you get up at the crack of dawn for a wee, the voltage measurement reflects the SOC of the battery. So worth noting.
The second is the voltage during the day - around beer o'clock - if it gets up to 14.4ish then we know that the few amps being put out by the panels are now being regulated as the battery is near fully charged.

I like to keep it simple and ...quite frankly.... couldn't give a f**k about Peukert's constant when I'm camping :-) hehe

Cheers
Phil

FollowupID: 804789

Reply By: steved58 - Saturday, Dec 21, 2013 at 21:40

Saturday, Dec 21, 2013 at 21:40

Yep got one it is great even use it to see how much is going in the battery from the alternator and even check my battery charger output with it a very versitile piece of equipment I bought a couple more for christmas presents There are others on the internet available some cheaper But I purchased the ABR ones as I like to support aussie sellers particularly if they are buisiness members of this site that activelly paticipate in the forum
Cheers Steve

AnswerID: 523363

Follow Up By: Slow one - Sunday, Dec 22, 2013 at 05:11

Sunday, Dec 22, 2013 at 05:11

Steve agree,
just one other thing. Derek seems to be very thorough in choosing the quality of products he sells.

FollowupID: 804745

Reply By: Member - G.T. - Tuesday, Dec 24, 2013 at 12:09

Tuesday, Dec 24, 2013 at 12:09

Is this his `clamp meter`? I have one of these ex ABR. Have not got my solar panels out to try as yet, but when I do, does the clamp part actually grip the cable like a pair of pliers, or does it encircle the cable with out touching it? Dumb question of the year I guess!! Regards G.T.

AnswerID: 523471

Follow Up By: Member - wicket - Tuesday, Dec 24, 2013 at 12:24

Tuesday, Dec 24, 2013 at 12:24

clamp meter just circles single cable

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Follow Up By: Whirlwinder - Tuesday, Dec 24, 2013 at 14:01

Tuesday, Dec 24, 2013 at 14:01

Hi G.T.
No, it is not a clamp type but an in line style and I fitted Anderson plugs each end to connect into my solar panel cable which also has Anderson plugs each end. Have a look at ABR web site and all will be revealed.
Ian

FollowupID: 804906