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Watt's Up Meter. The only game in town?
3/5/2012 10:07:02 PM
I come across it a lot and it seems to be THE unit for that type of usage.
On powerwerx they have it and the Doc Wattson but the Doc is lower resolution for the same price.
Seems like a pretty robust and well featured unit. I figured it would be good to ask if there was something better
On powerwerx they have it and the Doc Wattson but the Doc is lower resolution for the same price.
Seems like a pretty robust and well featured unit. I figured it would be good to ask if there was something better
3/5/2012 10:53:08 PM
Funny you should ask this question, as I've recently researched the same thing...
The Doc Wattson is lower resolution, but it is also higher power. It will measure KW and KAh. Your other options are the West Mountain Radio PWRCheck (doesn't show all the power calculations, yet-but I think they are coming) and it will log to a computer over USB and serial.
The other place to look is in the RC world. I had discovered something called the Medusa Power Analyzer Pro, but this company has long since stopped selling them and they go for big $$ when they come up used on eBay.
Finally, there is this generic power meter from BatterySpace.com, but at $25 more than a Watt's Up, I would recommend passing, as the quality just isn't there.
Of course, you could also decide to get froggy and build your own using an Arduino and the requisite sensors, but it would be more expensive than going with the Watt's up.
For what it's worth, I own several Watts Up meters and they are GTG. These are one of the most indispensable tools in my kit for power monitoring!
The Doc Wattson is lower resolution, but it is also higher power. It will measure KW and KAh. Your other options are the West Mountain Radio PWRCheck (doesn't show all the power calculations, yet-but I think they are coming) and it will log to a computer over USB and serial.
The other place to look is in the RC world. I had discovered something called the Medusa Power Analyzer Pro, but this company has long since stopped selling them and they go for big $$ when they come up used on eBay.
Finally, there is this generic power meter from BatterySpace.com, but at $25 more than a Watt's Up, I would recommend passing, as the quality just isn't there.
Of course, you could also decide to get froggy and build your own using an Arduino and the requisite sensors, but it would be more expensive than going with the Watt's up.
For what it's worth, I own several Watts Up meters and they are GTG. These are one of the most indispensable tools in my kit for power monitoring!
3/10/2012 3:00:53 PM
I have two of the Watt's Up meters - they're great. If you keep looking they show up every now & then in the QTH Miscellaneous section. I've gotten mine for ~$25/ea. Gotta be quick, though.
I've spent a couple of years looking for viable alternatives, but I haven't been able to find any that offer the same combination of information & form factor.
I've spent a couple of years looking for viable alternatives, but I haven't been able to find any that offer the same combination of information & form factor.
3/10/2012 10:06:24 PM
Originally Posted By 6530:
I have two of the Watt's Up meters - they're great. If you keep looking they show up every now & then in the QTH Miscellaneous section. I've gotten mine for ~$25/ea. Gotta be quick, though.
I've spent a couple of years looking for viable alternatives, but I haven't been able to find any that offer the same combination of information & form factor.
I have two of the Watt's Up meters - they're great. If you keep looking they show up every now & then in the QTH Miscellaneous section. I've gotten mine for ~$25/ea. Gotta be quick, though.
I've spent a couple of years looking for viable alternatives, but I haven't been able to find any that offer the same combination of information & form factor.
I have the watts up meter as well, but I am scared to put it inline seeing all the other cable is much larger and I feel like it will cause issues... Am I crazy for thinking for that??
3/11/2012 9:59:56 AM
Originally Posted By manderson1911:
I have the watts up meter as well, but I am scared to put it inline seeing all the other cable is much larger and I feel like it will cause issues... Am I crazy for thinking for that??
Originally Posted By 6530:
I have two of the Watt's Up meters - they're great. If you keep looking they show up every now & then in the QTH Miscellaneous section. I've gotten mine for ~$25/ea. Gotta be quick, though.
I've spent a couple of years looking for viable alternatives, but I haven't been able to find any that offer the same combination of information & form factor.
I have two of the Watt's Up meters - they're great. If you keep looking they show up every now & then in the QTH Miscellaneous section. I've gotten mine for ~$25/ea. Gotta be quick, though.
I've spent a couple of years looking for viable alternatives, but I haven't been able to find any that offer the same combination of information & form factor.
I have the watts up meter as well, but I am scared to put it inline seeing all the other cable is much larger and I feel like it will cause issues... Am I crazy for thinking for that??
From the manufacturer's user manual, section 2.1 (PDF):
- Rugged – handles 50 A continuous and 100 A peak at 60 V
- 14 ga., super fine stranded, high temperature, silicone rubber insulated wire
I put 45A Powerpoles on both my meters & I don't worry about melting/fire/etc.
3/11/2012 6:25:23 PM
