Clamp-On Current Meter Readings

Matt_Colie wrote:
AZ,

DC current probes are notoriously inaccurate. For starters, they are magnetic field sensitive. I can use mine as a compass and it is one of the best available. They all get real bad at the low ranges.

The reading of 70 amps for a 6.2@120VAC is about right. And, yes, it will toast your little Grp. 24 battery. I am not surprised that inverter put up with it for a while, but that while will be a thermal limit for the hardware.

Matt

Yup, this is my first clamp-on meter so I'm learning. Even though I'm beginning to realize it's not all that accurate, it's still very cool to at least get a rough idea of what's flowing (or not) through those wires :)

Ref the inverter, I originally purchased it just to power my laptop and flatscreen. Was gonna buy a 300 w PSW inverter, but this Power Bright 600 w PSW inverter was the same price as the 300 w PSW inverters. With Amazon's return policy and the good reviews it seemed like a good purchase risk. When I discovered it would power my small vaccum cleaner and coffee maker that was just icing on the cake. I've purposely overloaded and shorted this thing out and it keeps coming back for more--very impressed with it. As for toasting my battery, you're right, it might. Actually, I've been loading/discharging/charging this battery lately to see what the limits are for my particular style of use. I'm not fond of tip-toeing around a usage situation hoping it'll do this or do that when I get on the road--rather test hard upfront.