Amp-Volt Meters

I no longer sell them, but go Google Light Object . They have inexpensive AC Amp and Volt Meters that are adequate for Toy Train monitoring.

I checked and Light Object still sells 0-15 Aac Analog Amp Meters and
0-30 Vac Analog Volt Meters. Panel Meters for mounting--$9.50 each.

I have several on my control panel for keeping an eye on the 2 Lionel Type Z, Lionel Type V, Lionel Type R and the outputs of a tap transformer. I use these for powering lights and accessories on my layout. I got them off eBay. Do search and you will find what you need.

I have some, both volt and amp meters. Send me an email and I'll send you some pics.

quote:

Originally posted by Jdevleerjr:
I am looking for a few Amp/Volt Meters to put between my 180 watt bricks and TIU. I remember a few years ago someone on the forum had bought a bunch and was selling them to forum members. Anyone know where I can get them?

Ok stupid question, do they get wired in series of parallel between the brick and the TIU.

The VOLT meter is wired in parallel.

The AMP meter is wired in series.

Rich put up this graphic some time ago and it helped me put this together for my layout.

What gauge wire should I use from the transformer and the gages?

Probably 16 guage or larger depending on your wiring.

The Ammeter is wired in-line,in series,on the Hot wire[center rail]and the full load of the power district is serves goes through it. You should use the same heavy gauge gauge wire that services your railpower.
The Volltmeter is wired accross-the-line, in parallel, and you can use light gauge wire to connect it.

I emailed you[jdevleerjr] a photo of the backside of one of my old meter panels. It served 3 power districts powered fron three 180 Power houses linked to TPCs. Each districts hot wires have a color code as green,red and black and common is white. Hopefully this will illustrate how to connect.

Dewey

I would have thought -- obviously incorrectly -- that I needed one set of meters for each power district. I see by your post that you can have many-to-one.

Can you share the wiring for this to my email at Ralph.salvato@gmail.com

thanks
ralph

Mine were purchased on ebay. Check regularly until you find the ones you want.
My Voltmeters measures 0-20 and the Ammeters measure 0-5.

Ok I just ordered 3 sets of the meters. So should I place them between the TIU and track or the Powerhouse and the TIU? I will be using the variable channels on the TIU on my mainline so I can run some conventional trains also.

I wanted vintage meters to go along with my Lionel postwar layout so I purchased vintage Simpson volt and amp meters off of Ebay. For the same price (or less) than the modern plastic meters you get a cast metal housing with glass windows and the feeling that "they don't make them like that anymore". It's the same feeling I get when I operate my postwar Lionel trains.

Here is a link to a company that sells some really nice digital meters. I visited there booth at York this last October and was very impressed with there product.

Tony's Trains

Jim

Question for the group. I just got a panel ampmeter ac 0-15 and I can't get a reading out of it when I put it inline. Am I issuing something?  One post on the back of the meter is positive and the other is negatively marked.

We bought ours from LED-Switch, I think he is in AZ. They are wired between the bricks and the TIU.

 

Did you wire them as the diagram above shows? The back should look similar to this photo from another forum member.

 

Dave from Dearborn I really like the old school look of your panel.  Reminds me of the days when I was a HAM radio operator. 

I think I know what the problem is. I was testing the meter by using alligator clips into my hot line. I need to physically cut my hot line and run it thought the meter. Right?  If I use an alligator clip spaced out a few inches apart connected into the ampmeter and into the hot line then it doesn't seem to work.

Right it is.