Fieldlines.com: The Otherpower discussion board
Product Reviews => Reviews => Topic started by: petect on January 31, 2019, 02:02:40 PM
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Hi all. After all the help I've received from the folks at Fieldlines, I thought I'd contribute a bit. I found a small panel mount power meter that I use to monitor the output of my pv system.
I can get all the info I need about my system by logging into the Enphase (Enlighten) web site, but sometimes I just want to get a quick reading without firing up the laptop, etc. The meter also gives instantaneous readings, while the Enphase system lags by up to 10 minutes.
The meter was $13 to my door (I'm sure it can be found for less at Ali). It's VERY easy to mount and wire, and has a back light. I checked it with a clamp meter and multimeter, and it seems like it's pretty accurate.
I think the outfit that makes it makes meters in different power ranges.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/271952136069
I'll post about my experience with Enphase (very good so far) and the rest of my pv system later.
Pete
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do you know if it accounts for reactive power?
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Hi Joe
After reading the typical Chinese instructions - I don't know. It uses a ct to read current, if that helps.
Going back to "mother ebay" I found this
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Max-100A-AC-LCD-Digital-Panel-Power-Watt-Meter-Monitor-Voltage-Voltmeter-Ammeter/264101051538?_trkparms=aid%3D222007%26algo%3DSIM.MBE%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D20131231084308%26meid%3D315cc6c730744d39a4051b388f9fba0b%26pid%3D100010%26rk%3D2%26rkt%3D6%26sd%3D271952136069%26itm%3D264101051538&_trksid=p2047675.c100010.m2109
It has the same functions as the meter I noted above, plus it reads frequency, and pf. for a few $ less.
Pete
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The specific seller in your link does not ship internationally, but many others do.
I can get one from HongKong, Shenzen, or Shanghai, but not from Kentucky.
Browsing similar products on Ebay, they all seem the same.
Edit: most don't seem to include the current transformer needed to measure >20A
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Sparweb
"The specific seller in your link does not ship internationally, but many others do." Yeah that's typical of lots of sellers on ebay. You can find the same thing at aliexpress for less, including shipping. The meter I referenced below is also sold by multiple sellers on ebay and ali, also for less than ebay. Things from ali can show up in a week, or take a few months. I was in a hurry, so I got it from ebay.
I'm probably going to get the second meter I listed from ali - can't pass it up at that price.
Pete
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Spar
Take a look at these.
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/2015-NEWEST-1PC-AC-100A-Power-Meters-Monitor-Voltage-current-kWh-Watt-Digital-LED-Tester-with/32353552201.html?
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/20A-100A-AC-LCD-Digital-Panel-Power-Watt-Meter-Monitor-Voltage-KWh-Voltmeter-Ammeter-Tester-Tools/32934531215.html?
Look familiar?
Same stuff as ebay, but a bigger selection for less.
Pete
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This is where I buy my meters from. They are located in Florida.
https://www.mpja.com/Digital-Panel-Meters/products/52/
I have bought a lot of electronic components from them for the past 6 years.
Ed
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Hi Magnetjuice,
How? Do you phone in your orders?
MPJA.com website ships to USA only. MPJA registers user accounts in USA only.
Since your profile says you are in Canada, there is some information lacking somewhere.
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I live close to the US border. I have my packages shipped to a mailing service just across the border.
Ed
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Hey Spar
What about this one.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/100A-AC-LCD-Digital-Panel-Power-Watt-Meter-Monitor-Voltage-KWh-Voltmeter-Ammeter/264075698831?_trkparms=aid%3D555018%26algo%3DPL.SIM%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D55992%26meid%3D945bb24e56874b0b937d017960142c7b%26pid%3D100005%26rk%3D2%26rkt%3D12%26sd%3D271952136069%26itm%3D264075698831&_trksid=p2047675.c100005.m1851#shpCntId
It has a few more functions than the one I got, for a few $ less. It ships from China - you might get it before ice-out.
Pete
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That'll do. Ooo-eee it displays power factor, too :)
Thanks Pete!
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I have ordered some stuff from China its worked out ok, so far...