wattmeters

[john stones 1 - Moderator]

im wanting to buy a wattmeter and would like your opinions

have been looking at 2 on HK

a 7 in 1 megameter or a 130 amp wattmeter and power analyser

which is best buy?. I don't do much electric r/c as yet but like to do it right

I've looked at specs on them both, one comes with servo tester so im tempted the other seems to be a better meter though. so which do you recommend

cant do a link sorry i'm rubbish with pc's as well

Edited By Pete B - Moderator on 11/03/2014 23:30:44

[Pete B]

There you go, John - it ain't that difficult - and the links make it SO much easier for lurkers!

Pete

[David...]

I think the 130amp unit is all you will ever need. For electric models you need to know peak Amps and ideally mA-Hr and it does all of that plus voltage so perfect is my assessment, but then for a few dollars more you get all those extra functions, so for $17 that's got to be worth it - decisions decisions

[AJ]

I have got the 130a meter and have been very pleased with it. Note you will need to solder on your own connectors.

Andrew

[john stones 1 - Moderator]

thanks again Pete i'll learn how to do it for myself this week.

thanks David I think I agree, just had another read, I can buy a servo tester on its own for a few quid

130 amp it is

thanks Andrew

Edited By john stones 1 on 11/03/2014 23:56:05

[Chris Barlow]

From my own personal experience I'd recommend you buy one from a local shop rather than HK. I like the Turnigy and the GT power stuff from GS but watt meters are dealing with high voltages and currents and mine died after a few weeks (used about 4-5 times). Sending it back to HK just wasn't an option so I bought one(JP I think it was) from LHS. It cost a bit more but if it failed to light up within 12 months I could just take it back. Fortunately this one is much more reliable that the cheaper ones and has lasted over 2 years!

[Andy.I]

I agree with CB. I bought a Megameter and it wasn't really satisfactory at all. After a couple of months I discovered the tacho didn't work. A couple of months later the wattmeter stopped working, and all it would do was measure voltage. I now have a GT Power meter and it works - if I feel I need a tacho I'll buy a separate one.

[Josip Vrandecic -Mes]

John , for your needs, this 130 A will be quite enough.

Rgds

Joe

[Frank Skilbeck]

If your radio does telemetry then you might want to consider a telemetry ammeter, that way you get the in flight amps and mah used as well as the ground based check. Since I started using the telemetry on my set I haven't used my watt meter (the excellent Eagle Tree elogger)

[john stones 1 - Moderator]

thanks gents

ill give Turnigy 130 amp a go

[PatMc]

I got an original version Emeter for about £45 from BRC in pre-lipo days. It totaly failed suddenly after about 18 months but I got a replacement for the cost of 1 way postage.
This version Emeter has a built in tacho & memories to store 5 sets of data. It means I can change props &/or batteries recording A, W, V & rpm for comparison after testing. If I ever want to replace it I'm not sure if there's anything available now that can replicate or better this, other than the newer version Emeter which, IMO, is way too pricy.