Cheap effective way to measure Amps on final install.

Anything to do with Propulsion.
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KR2_Diving
Posts: 391
Joined: Aug 30th, 2012, 11:43 am
Location: Currently: NW Suburbs of Chicago. Originally: NE Wisconsin

Cheap effective way to measure Amps on final install.

Post by KR2_Diving »

Hey all,
I've been scouring the internet for the last day or two trying to find a way to do this. I'm sure there is a simple solution that I have over looked.

I would like a way to monitor the Amps draw on each motor in "real time" on my final build. Short of trying to cram 6 multi meters into my hull, anyone have any suggestions?

I plan on using this to monitor the performance of the motors.

It would be even greater if I could find a way to do this and feed the results into my Arduino.

Thoughts?

Ryan "KR2_Diving"
martinw
Posts: 91
Joined: Sep 20th, 2011, 11:02 am
Location: Aberdeenshire

Re: Cheap effective way to measure Amps on final install.

Post by martinw »

You might be able to find something cheaper, but here's an example of what's out there to measure current and output an analogue signal.

http://www.coolcomponents.co.uk/catalog ... p-432.html

Martin
derelicte
Posts: 292
Joined: Aug 1st, 2011, 3:08 pm

Re: Cheap effective way to measure Amps on final install.

Post by derelicte »

the motor controllers I used have optional current sense outputs. hook them up to the analog inputs on an arduino, do some math and you'll know how much current each motor is drawing.

like this:

http://www.pololu.com/catalog/product/2502
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KR2_Diving
Posts: 391
Joined: Aug 30th, 2012, 11:43 am
Location: Currently: NW Suburbs of Chicago. Originally: NE Wisconsin

Re: Cheap effective way to measure Amps on final install.

Post by KR2_Diving »

derelicte wrote:the motor controllers I used have optional current sense outputs. hook them up to the analog inputs on an arduino, do some math and you'll know how much current each motor is drawing.

like this:

http://www.pololu.com/catalog/product/2502
Thanks Derelicte. I was looking into this part myself, however, it does not allow for connection of Brushless motors, which I plan on using.
martinw wrote:You might be able to find something cheaper, but here's an example of what's out there to measure current and output an analogue signal.

http://www.coolcomponents.co.uk/catalog ... p-432.html

Martin
Martin,
Something like this is perfect, but I need it to be able to handle more amps... ideally up to 30A.
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electronicscrazy
Posts: 45
Joined: Feb 10th, 2012, 7:39 pm
Location: United Kingdom

Re: Cheap effective way to measure Amps on final install.

Post by electronicscrazy »

I'm hoping to use one of these on my rov, it should handle them amps you need:

http://www.coolcomponents.co.uk/catalog ... p-433.html
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