Looking for something like this, only flatt-er, so you could surface-mount it on the wall. Looks like those on Ebay are all 1" thick bricks intended for flush-mount. Doesn't have to be LED, black and white LCD would do. I'm not particularly fond of this kind of "product", just wanted to give something to my Mexican friends. They are all getting solar, with off-brand deep cycle batteries and non-adjustable controllers, and have no idea of battery charge. A friend had his battery down to 11.4V once when I checked, controller failed few days earlier. Nobody has a multimeter or knows how to use it. I think with a digital meter they would at least have "some" control.

Those will work as you dont need 4 digit. I have a few of them that I mounted in Radio Shack surface mount project boxes. I also mounted one in a regular wall switch plate cover like the type used in a house. Just cut the plastic and snap the switch into place then screw the cover plate to a home depot blue plastic electrical box. You can get the blue plastic box is a small capacity style.Mine are 9 months old, seen various voltages, been turned on and off many times and they still work. If you want to get crazy like some of us and see the 4 th digit for hundredths of a volt you can get a 4 digit adjustable. I dont like the 4 digit small non adjustable because they read high with say a voltage of 12.5 actually being 12.41 to 12.43They are within spec but if we are going to watch hundredths, we dont need to be off by 80/100 or 90/100.

Thanks. Will get a 4-digit. 3 digits inaccurately rounded will do more harm than good. It's for my friends, not for me. My solar controller has a very accurate display.

Error "x" % and +- 3 least significant digit. Look at the data sheet. The 3 digit panel meters I purchased from eBay and Amazon are all in the junk pile. Maybe six or seven different panel meters. I do not appreciate being told voltage is 13.3 when in reality it is 13.9I found 4.5 digit panel meters for seven dollars. They are SURFACE MOUNT meaning they stick out as a block. Flush mount will be raised maybe 1/8" from the wall.Yes it means reading 14.255 volts rather than 14.5 volts but my eyes can stand the "strain".

So, Mex - do you have any particular 4 or 5 digit meter in mind? under 10 bucks?

Almot wrote:Thanks. Will get a 4-digit. 3 digits inaccurately rounded will do more harm than good. It's for my friends, not for me. My solar controller has a very accurate display.You do have to get the correct 4 digit ones or they wont be accurate. Do you want to read 12.5 when it's actually 12.41? Or do your want to adjust it and read what it really is? I never bought any 3 digit so mex knows about them but I'm betting if you buy the same type but in a 4 digit you will get what I just described. They say right on them accuracy + or - 1% but they aren't that good.I consider the small 4 digit models that I bought junk, but then I want to see what it actually is. Anal? Maybe but......I bought the larger 4 digit that is adjustable on Amazon. This is the Amazon ad.RioRand LCD Digital Volt Voltage Panel Meter Voltmeter 7.5V-20V

Cheap volt meter? | Good Sam Community

15 Replies

MEXICOWANDERER
Explorer
Feb 28, 2015
When a person tips a glass of wine and murmurs "Mmmmmmmm Goooooood"

Sort of foolish to demand the bottle and blurt "Ugggggghhh" after examining the label.
Almot
Explorer III
Feb 27, 2015
ScottG wrote:
I have a set of the blue LCD panel meters (similar to those in the link but LCD) for V & I for both AC and DC. They're accuracy is fine for what we do and the volt meters match my calibrated Fluke 77.

Riorand on Amazon is also blue LCD. Any chance to post a link to the one that you have?
azrving
Explorer
Feb 27, 2015
Almot wrote:
rjxj wrote:
Where have you been shopping that the rest of us haven't? All this stuff is basically the same.

Not the same. Totally different business ethics in Asia. Besides, trinkets in question are off-brand, fly by the night, no QC of any kind. 4 digits would ensure that lat east first 3 are correct.

My solar controller is US made. Nice features and top-notch quality. You should see it to understand. My solar cables and battery cables are US made, real copper in wire and lugs, not copper clad aluminum advertised as "copper". My all-band radio is Japanese made, better quality than Chinese knock-ff that I tried and better than US-based China-made 12V trailer radio. I do have several items from Amazon, but only where quality doesn't matter or when it's a real brand - then I can expect some QC.

Like I mentioned earlier, I'm not getting this volt meter for myself - would never buy something important when quality is so questionable. I'm getting it for a guy that it very poor and doesn't have any display, meter or multimeter around his shack.

Thanks
That's good of you to help them. If I had any spare funds right now I'd help too. I hope it works out for you and them.
Almot
Explorer III
Feb 27, 2015
rjxj wrote:
Where have you been shopping that the rest of us haven't? All this stuff is basically the same.

Not the same. Totally different business ethics in Asia. Besides, trinkets in question are off-brand, fly by the night, no QC of any kind. 4 digits would ensure that lat east first 3 are correct.

My solar controller is US made. Nice features and top-notch quality. You should see it to understand. My solar cables and battery cables are US made, real copper in wire and lugs, not copper clad aluminum advertised as "copper". My all-band radio is Japanese made, better quality than Chinese knock-ff that I tried and better than US-based China-made 12V trailer radio. I do have several items from Amazon, but only where quality doesn't matter or when it's a real brand - then I can expect some QC.

Like I mentioned earlier, I'm not getting this volt meter for myself - would never buy something important when quality is so questionable. I'm getting it for a guy that it very poor and doesn't have any display, meter or multimeter around his shack.
ScottG
Nomad
Feb 27, 2015
I have a set of the blue LCD panel meters (similar to those in the link but LCD) for V & I for both AC and DC. They're accuracy is fine for what we do and the volt meters match my calibrated Fluke 77.
azrving
Explorer
Feb 27, 2015
Almot wrote:
Riorand from Amazon appears to be "ok" quality, as far as anything can be ok with where they are made. Wasting our diminishing resources on making junk that goes straight to dumpster is criminal, IMO. Will look into your last link, Mex. Thanks.

Criminal? That's funny. Where have you been shopping that the rest of us haven't? All this stuff is basically the same. If you think one is German or USA made you may want to look a little closer. At least the rio stuff didn't take a month to get here. You buy and take your chances. Good luck finding one that's not adjustable and spot on.
Almot
Explorer III
Feb 27, 2015
Riorand from Amazon appears to be "ok" quality, as far as anything can be ok with where they are made. Wasting our diminishing resources on making junk that goes straight to dumpster is criminal, IMO. Will look into your last link, Mex. Thanks.
azrving
Explorer
Feb 27, 2015
I only bought one of the adjustable that I spoke of and like it. I'll check out your source. Thanks
MEXICOWANDERER
Explorer
Feb 27, 2015
It's the percentage error PLUS the plus or minus least significant digit
Why buy a digital meter whose resolution is poorer than an analog meter. If you want a drawer full of junk meters I'll mail them to you when I go north.

Go to BUYINCOINS.COM

Select AUTOMOTIVE

Then INSTRUMENTS

It takes a little browsing but it is listed as PRECISION 4-1/2 DIGIT VOLTMETER

Flee Shripping
azrving
Explorer
Feb 27, 2015
So Mex, if the 3 digit was that bad, they must be holding it to a + or - 1% you were seeing a volt difference?. Heck yeah, what's it matter if it's 11.2 or 13.3 close enough!!! :)

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Cheap volt meter?

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