Amp & Vol. Meters add ons

[west]

I have a 40 amp, 13.8v supply and would like to add a voltage (0-15v) meter
and an amp (0-50amp) meter. The meters look frail and I can't imagine
running all that current through those flimsy connectors and tiny meter
coil. I have no paperwork on the meters and was wondering if I need a shunt
resistor or something to take all that current. Any ideas? Thank you.

Cordially,
west

 

[jasen]

I have a 40 amp, 13.8v supply and would like to add a voltage (0-15v) meter
and an amp (0-50amp) meter. The meters look frail and I can't imagine
running all that current through those flimsy connectors and tiny meter
coil. I have no paperwork on the meters and was wondering if I need a shunt
resistor or something to take all that current. Any ideas? Thank you.

voltmeters only need thin wires.

the ammeter should have a shunt, it may be fitted internally.
the wires from the shunt to the meter movement needn't be thick.

 

[PeterD]

I have a 40 amp, 13.8v supply and would like to add a voltage (0-15v) meter
and an amp (0-50amp) meter. The meters look frail and I can't imagine
running all that current through those flimsy connectors and tiny meter
coil. I have no paperwork on the meters and was wondering if I need a shunt
resistor or something to take all that current. Any ideas? Thank you.

Cordially,
west

yes, you almost certainly need a shunt. Does the amp meter have any
marking on the face to indicate what the meter's current rating is?

Without that it can be hard to calibrate a shunt...

 

[Ross Herbert]

I have a 40 amp, 13.8v supply and would like to add a voltage (0-15v) meter
and an amp (0-50amp) meter. The meters look frail and I can't imagine
running all that current through those flimsy connectors and tiny meter
coil. I have no paperwork on the meters and was wondering if I need a shunt
resistor or something to take all that current. Any ideas? Thank you.

Cordially,
west

Read Rod Elliot's article on meters to make shunts and multipliers.
http://sound.westhost.com/articles/meters.htm