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Ampmeter (panel) going off scale
By Reno, Section Homebrewed Electricity Posted on Fri Nov 04, 2005 at 11:24:34 PM MST
none

Hello everyone it has been awhile since I posted. I'm still hooked on windmills but have slowed down in my projects. Still flying my original AC motor conversion which I did have to rewire in series before the neighbours shot me over the frieght train like noise during high winds. Anyway I finally picked up some meters volt and amp but I think I might have gone to small on the amp meter.
It is scaled to 30 amps with a shunt but today i hooked it up and with winds reaching 25 kph I saw 15 amps on the meter. So I have a question, Will the shunt handle loads above 30 amps and how do I know its upper limit. I am suppose to see high winds tomorrow and am getting nervous
thanks

Ampmeter (panel) going off scale | 3 comments (3 topical)

Re: Ampmeter (panel) going off scale (3.00 / 0) (#1)
by wpowokal on Sat Nov 05, 2005 at 04:47:33 AM MST

Reno, yes within moderate limitations, the problem is heating of the shunt, genrally "excessive" amps are only in the gusts and do not last long.

There is some risk of bending the needle on the meter if its pegged too violently past full scale..

If you can accuratly measure the shunt and paralell another then you can double the current and 30 amps becomes 60 amps.

allan down under
"Dream as if you'll live forever, live as if you'll die today." James Dean

Re: Ampmeter (panel) going off scale (3.00 / 0) (#2)
by Reno on Sat Nov 05, 2005 at 06:52:35 AM MST

Thanks
I will look into doubling up the shunt. What would be a good material if I were to do this. I am thinking aluminum or copper strip or should I just use wire. Maybe the blades will not have the ability to output 30 amps I will know once the wind picks up.
Thanks again

[ Parent ]

Re: Ampmeter (panel) going off scale (3.00 / 0) (#3)
by wpowokal on Sun Nov 06, 2005 at 05:38:27 AM MST

Reno, typically solid copper wire, preferably winding wire because it's insulated but if you use uninsulated just make sure the the coils don't touch each other.

Check this outhttp://www.uoguelph.ca/~antoon/gadgets/shunts/shunts.html

allan down under
"Dream as if you'll live forever, live as if you'll die today." James Dean

Ampmeter (panel) going off scale | 3 comments (3 topical)

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