I am looking for a round v / a meter that is compact and sealed in the back except for the wires. needs to be sealed because I am mounting it through the " wall " of my kayak so a plastic nut on the back would be nice.Only ones I have found so far are on ebay and shipping from China, probably on a slow boat. I probably will order two and mount one near the battery / tank monitor. Would that be an ok place to put it. Thanks in advance

Why are you mounting a meter on your kayak?

Sounds to me like what you need is a battery voltage monitor that is made for a marine application. I would think that any large boat dealer would have one.....and maybe smaller dealers too.I STRONGLY encourage you to NOT make any hole to mount it; just glue it in place.

Here is a link to several types of panel metersMPJA Electronics They have square and round, DC and AC, multi function and current types.

Datel makes some high quality panel meters and are made in the US here.. They have a round LED voltmeter but no combination V & A meter and no round ammeter. The model below is "oiltight" and sealed. Has screw terminals on the back but you probably dab some epoxy on them? Datel meters are high quality but not cheap.Datel does have small square panel meters tho. The problem with a DC ammeter on 12 VDC is that you likely need a shunt and that will have to be mounted somewhere and they're not small. Some meters also require a 5 VDC power supply to work. It could be hard finding something that is watertight and rated for a moisture location. For example, the Datel meter below is rated IP67.But yes, what are you doing in a kayak?

The only round volt/amp combined meter I've seen is the one available from Powerwerx. They are a respected supplier of good quality stuff to the ham radio world.https://powerwerx.com/panel-mount-dc-amp-volt-meter

volt amp meter needed | Good Sam Community

loggenrock
Explorer
Jul 31, 2018
Forget a watertight meter - get a watertight Otterbox (or something from GSI - even WallyWorld has them...) with a clear front to read whatever meter you put in it. Just drill a hole in the box for wires to pass thru, then seal that small hole. No permanent "damage" to the boat.
MrWizard
Moderator
Jul 31, 2018

displays volts and amps
does NOT count AmpHrs
very small, no Shunt, uses 'Hall Effect' sensor
up to 120v, 100amps

Put it in s small enclosure glue or Velcro to inside of kayak

DC volt & Amps meter
riven1950
Explorer
Jul 30, 2018
Thanks for the replies. The " Marine " meters are nice, but not their price.

I'll go cheaper. Will be easy to access and change if needed.

I am thinking 20 dollars instead of 200 dollars LOL
Sam_Spade
Explorer
Jul 30, 2018
myredracer wrote:

And then for fun I looked up the price of the meter on Amazon. $255!!!

If you want to play, you gotta PAY !! ;-)

You can get a voltmeter at Harbor Freight for about $10, less when on sale. A voltmeter is really all you need if you know what the reading means.

You could "dunk" the $10 meter and replace it 25 times before reaching the cost of a really good one.
GordonThree
Explorer
Jul 30, 2018
1995brave wrote:
Here is a link to several types of panel metersMPJA Electronics They have square and round, DC and AC, multi function and current types.

X2 for MPJA ... Plenty of choices, round, square, ac, DC, etc.
fj12ryder
Explorer III
Jul 30, 2018
Blue Sea Systems make some really good stuff, but I would shop around some. You can pretty easily beat Amazon's price without much looking. They are pretty high.
myredracer
Explorer II
Jul 30, 2018
RoyB wrote:
These round meters from BLUE SEA available on AMAZON are sealed and probably very water/WX resistent... These meters were originally designed to work on BOAT panels...

Being marine, great idea! But their 8248 volt/amp meter looks like this on the rear and is listed as having a "splashproof front".

And then for fun I looked up the price of the meter on Amazon. $255!!!
RoyB
Explorer II
Jul 30, 2018
These round meters from BLUE SEA available on AMAZON are sealed and probably very water/WX resistent... These meters were originally designed to work on BOAT panels...

Google Image

You will find all kinds of different types of these round meters to read all the different voltages and Currents etc...

The round meters can be rotated in any position so mounting in Horizontal or Vertical panels is possible

Might give them a look... Search on-line for "BLUE SEA meters AMAZON"

AMAZON has two day shipping including weekends...

Roy Ken
riven1950
Explorer
Jul 30, 2018
Why are you mounting a meter on your kayak?

I am installing a trolling motor.
donn0128
Explorer II
Jul 30, 2018
Everyrime I order something off of ebay and its shipping from China I get it faster than the USPS delivering something shipped from within the USA.