Tester for PV panels?

Xringer · 09-08-10, 08:50 PM

I've been looking at buying something like this for testing PV
and using to monitor inverter input..

HobbyKing Online R/C Hobby Store : Turnigy Watt Meter and power Analyzer

Spec.
Operating voltage: 4.8~60V
Measures;
0~130A, resolution 0.01A
0~60V, resolution 0.01V
0~6554W, resolution 0.1W
0~65Ah, resolution 0.001Ah
0~6554Wh, resolution 0.1Wh
Screen: 16x2, backlit LCD display
Size: 85x42x25mm
Weight: 82g

This looks like a nice meter for the price.. (If shipping isn't crazy).

Comments?

Daox · 09-09-10, 06:51 AM

I've ordered from hobbyking before. Shipping was reasonable as I recall.

That is a very low price on that item. Last I checked for the same thing, I found the Watt's Up Meter. It costs $50-$60.

Xringer · 09-09-10, 10:32 AM

I wish this thing ran up to 80 volts, but it still looks good for my applications.
I will be ordering one today and will post about it down the road..

Since I also like to fly RC E-planes, I can use it for that app too..

Xringer · 09-28-10, 06:40 PM

Wow, it must be a long way from Hong Kong.. Or maybe it got lost on the ship..
It got to the post office in Hong Kong on 9/11 and was "Delivered 09/28/10 1:00pm".

Anyways, the leads are short and fat, but it seems to be working well.
At least up to 15 watts anyways. I'll post more info when I get time to really check it out.

Xringer · 11-09-10, 10:46 PM

This post is related, so I copied this over here.

~~~

Okay! I just bid on some of these.. 2 Pairs MC4 solar panel connector male & female, TUV - eBay (item 250721685411 end time Nov-10-10 22:14:35 PST)
And they should be in the mail this week..

Since my panels are in series, I can insert the meter into part of the loop.
I'll probably use 2 panels (of the 4 panels) , so I can cut the meter voltage in half (current will be the same).
That way, I can take data all day and then multiply the watt hours times 2..

It appears that my meter has an option to use an external DC power power supply, to run the meter..
YouTube - Turnigy Precision Watt Meter and Power Analyzer
So the data won't be lost when the sun goes down, I'll use the 12v tracker battery to keep the meter turned on, 24-7..

09-08-10, 08:50 PM	#1
Xringer Lex Parsimoniae Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Woburn, MA Posts: 4,918 Thanks: 114 Thanked 250 Times in 230 Posts	Tester for PV panels? I've been looking at buying something like this for testing PV and using to monitor inverter input.. HobbyKing Online R/C Hobby Store : Turnigy Watt Meter and power Analyzer Spec. Operating voltage: 4.8~60V Measures; 0~130A, resolution 0.01A 0~60V, resolution 0.01V 0~6554W, resolution 0.1W 0~65Ah, resolution 0.001Ah 0~6554Wh, resolution 0.1Wh Screen: 16x2, backlit LCD display Size: 85x42x25mm Weight: 82g This looks like a nice meter for the price.. (If shipping isn't crazy). Comments?

09-09-10, 06:51 AM	#2
Daox Administrator Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Germantown, WI Posts: 5,525 Thanks: 1,162 Thanked 374 Times in 305 Posts	I've ordered from hobbyking before. Shipping was reasonable as I recall. That is a very low price on that item. Last I checked for the same thing, I found the Watt's Up Meter. It costs $50-$60. __________________ Current project - To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. & To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

09-28-10, 06:40 PM	#4
Xringer Lex Parsimoniae Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Woburn, MA Posts: 4,918 Thanks: 114 Thanked 250 Times in 230 Posts	Pack mule mail? Wow, it must be a long way from Hong Kong.. Or maybe it got lost on the ship.. It got to the post office in Hong Kong on 9/11 and was "Delivered 09/28/10 1:00pm". Anyways, the leads are short and fat, but it seems to be working well. At least up to 15 watts anyways. I'll post more info when I get time to really check it out.

11-09-10, 10:46 PM	#5
Xringer Lex Parsimoniae Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Woburn, MA Posts: 4,918 Thanks: 114 Thanked 250 Times in 230 Posts	duplicate of post on Solar Tracker project. This post is related, so I copied this over here. ~~~ Okay! I just bid on some of these.. 2 Pairs MC4 solar panel connector male & female, TUV - eBay (item 250721685411 end time Nov-10-10 22:14:35 PST) And they should be in the mail this week.. Since my panels are in series, I can insert the meter into part of the loop. I'll probably use 2 panels (of the 4 panels) , so I can cut the meter voltage in half (current will be the same). That way, I can take data all day and then multiply the watt hours times 2.. It appears that my meter has an option to use an external DC power power supply, to run the meter.. YouTube - Turnigy Precision Watt Meter and Power Analyzer So the data won't be lost when the sun goes down, I'll use the 12v tracker battery to keep the meter turned on, 24-7..

09-09-10, 10:32 AM	#3
Xringer Lex Parsimoniae Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Woburn, MA Posts: 4,918 Thanks: 114 Thanked 250 Times in 230 Posts	I wish this thing ran up to 80 volts, but it still looks good for my applications. I will be ordering one today and will post about it down the road.. Since I also like to fly RC E-planes, I can use it for that app too..