Go Back  RCU Forums > RC Boats > Speed - Electric
Reload this Page >

MEASURING AMP DRAW?

Community
Search
Notices
Speed - Electric For all your electric boating needs.

MEASURING AMP DRAW?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 07-29-2008, 10:03 PM
  #1  
BIG22BIRD
Senior Member
Thread Starter
My Feedback: (1)
 
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: CHILLIWACK, BC, CANADA
Posts: 284
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default MEASURING AMP DRAW?

im looking at a old boat hull that i ran a nitro motor in 10+ years ago, and i was thinking of putting in a brushless setup. i hear of people talking of a tool to measure amp draw. cause i want to figure what prop to use. what is the tool called and any idea cost or where to get one. hard to use?
Old 07-29-2008, 11:28 PM
  #2  
Kmot
My Feedback: (24)
 
Kmot's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Northridge, CA
Posts: 10,958
Likes: 0
Received 5 Likes on 5 Posts
Default RE: MEASURING AMP DRAW?

It's called a "Watts Up" meter. Tower has em' as do many other sources.
Old 07-30-2008, 12:53 AM
  #3  
BIG22BIRD
Senior Member
Thread Starter
My Feedback: (1)
 
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: CHILLIWACK, BC, CANADA
Posts: 284
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default RE: MEASURING AMP DRAW?


ORIGINAL: Kmot

It's called a "Watts Up" meter. Tower has em' as do many other sources.
thanks, im sure there not hard to use?
Old 07-30-2008, 01:04 AM
  #4  
Kmot
My Feedback: (24)
 
Kmot's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Northridge, CA
Posts: 10,958
Likes: 0
Received 5 Likes on 5 Posts
Default RE: MEASURING AMP DRAW?

If you can connect a battery to an esc, you can use a Watts Up meter.
Old 07-30-2008, 01:10 AM
  #5  
BIG22BIRD
Senior Member
Thread Starter
My Feedback: (1)
 
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: CHILLIWACK, BC, CANADA
Posts: 284
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default RE: MEASURING AMP DRAW?


ORIGINAL: Kmot

If you can connect a battery to an esc, you can use a Watts Up meter.
THANKS KMOT!!! UHHH WHAT IS A BATTERY??[sm=confused.gif]
Im guessing there just different colors.
http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin...FVSEARCH=watts
Old 07-30-2008, 08:39 AM
  #6  
ryan_t888
 
ryan_t888's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Hamilton, ON, CANADA
Posts: 5,522
Likes: 0
Received 6 Likes on 6 Posts
Default RE: MEASURING AMP DRAW?

http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin...&I=LXTNL0&P=ML

Use this only. That watts up meter is extremely limited in use and will only log peaks / spikes which are useless. It is also only good up to 50A where even the SV27 can exceed this!

Using the data logger, it will record the WHOLE run and you may view instantaneous results including averages and peaks. It also does speed, temperature, altitude, RPM, ect. A 150A verson is also available.

These are extremely easy to use.

EDIT: I attached a graph from a run in my plane. This shows what can be done and how you can easily analyze every second of this run!

Ryan
Attached Thumbnails Click image for larger version

Name:	Us55156.jpg
Views:	26
Size:	107.6 KB
ID:	1000721  
Old 07-30-2008, 03:31 PM
  #7  
BIG22BIRD
Senior Member
Thread Starter
My Feedback: (1)
 
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: CHILLIWACK, BC, CANADA
Posts: 284
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default RE: MEASURING AMP DRAW?

that looks to give more info, but i need to hook it to my computer to see the data. maybe im looking for the wrong thing, tha main reason is im building boats left and right. and i dont want to over work my motor/ esc's. and trying to measure a prop as well. am i going about this the right way?
Old 07-30-2008, 03:54 PM
  #8  
ryan_t888
 
ryan_t888's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Hamilton, ON, CANADA
Posts: 5,522
Likes: 0
Received 6 Likes on 6 Posts
Default RE: MEASURING AMP DRAW?

You can buy the display screen but I'd rather hook it up to my computer.

Heat will tell you how many amps are going through the ESC, cells or motor. If it's over 140F too much current is being passed through too long of a time. If temps are under 140F, you are drawing a safe amount of current.

A logger will allow you to see accurately the actual figure. You may also see how many watts are being consumed and the overal cell performance. It's not a must have item but it definitely comes in handy.


Ryan
Old 07-31-2008, 04:54 AM
  #9  
carakter
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Quezon City, PHILIPPINES
Posts: 377
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default RE: MEASURING AMP DRAW?

ryan - I was also looking at that thing. Have you tried it with the SV? If that can measure boat rpms and other stuff, then I'll seriously consider it.
Old 07-31-2008, 06:55 AM
  #10  
ryan_t888
 
ryan_t888's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Hamilton, ON, CANADA
Posts: 5,522
Likes: 0
Received 6 Likes on 6 Posts
Default RE: MEASURING AMP DRAW?

Yes I tried it with the SV. I have the older version which is not as good. I don't use it with boats anymore as it tends to slow them down due to the type of sensor being used. The newer version does not use this sensor. I'm wanting to purchase the V3.

It can measure a lot, I mostly use it for my planes now.

Ryan

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off



Contact Us - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Terms of Service -

Copyright © 2024 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Use of this site indicates your consent to the Terms of Use.