Empathy List Archives

BD

Butch Dalton

Wed, Mar 31, 2010 12:01 PM

Attention all you electrical wizards who've been so helpful to me before! My
boat, like many, has 2 30 amp shorepower cords and 2 shore/genset switches.
The electrical sources are separate all the way to the breaker boxes. But
there is only one ammeter, so only half the electrical use is measured. I've
always wanted to add a second ammeter to the other side. Lo and behold, I
recently found an identical ammeter in a box of junk I took off the boat on
purchase. It's a round 120VAC analog gauge. The face is so faded it's
impossible to read, but it may manufactured by Burton or Bruton or maybe
Brother. The mfg's name is inside an elongated hexagon. I'd like to buy or
make a new face and install this meter beside the other. Can anyone help me
identify this gauge? Is there a way to test it to see that it's still
functioning? The boat's a 1979 and I'm assuming it was installed by the
builder. Thanks!

Butch Dalton
43 Albin Dog Days III
N Myrtle Beach, SC

Attention all you electrical wizards who've been so helpful to me before! My boat, like many, has 2 30 amp shorepower cords and 2 shore/genset switches. The electrical sources are separate all the way to the breaker boxes. But there is only one ammeter, so only half the electrical use is measured. I've always wanted to add a second ammeter to the other side. Lo and behold, I recently found an identical ammeter in a box of junk I took off the boat on purchase. It's a round 120VAC analog gauge. The face is so faded it's impossible to read, but it may manufactured by Burton or Bruton or maybe Brother. The mfg's name is inside an elongated hexagon. I'd like to buy or make a new face and install this meter beside the other. Can anyone help me identify this gauge? Is there a way to test it to see that it's still functioning? The boat's a 1979 and I'm assuming it was installed by the builder. Thanks! Butch Dalton 43 Albin Dog Days III N Myrtle Beach, SC

BH

Brent Hodges

Wed, Mar 31, 2010 12:37 PM

Hi Butch,
I looked at the only original gauge left on my Albin and it's "Sheng Cayaun"
brand, so that's no help. I would suggest that, first of all, it is
important to know this info. My boat had only one meter like yours, so I
replaced it and added a second Blue Sea gauge. You really don't know if the
other, or this one, are accurate after all these years. You can replace them
with new ones from Blue Sea for around $60 each. They have two sizes to
match or fit into your space. (Model #'s 9630 or 8246). I installed two new
volt and ammeters and have been very happy with this addition.

Brent Hodges
43 Albin

Hi Butch, I looked at the only original gauge left on my Albin and it's "Sheng Cayaun" brand, so that's no help. I would suggest that, first of all, it is important to know this info. My boat had only one meter like yours, so I replaced it and added a second Blue Sea gauge. You really don't know if the other, or this one, are accurate after all these years. You can replace them with new ones from Blue Sea for around $60 each. They have two sizes to match or fit into your space. (Model #'s 9630 or 8246). I installed two new volt and ammeters and have been very happy with this addition. Brent Hodges 43 Albin

SH

Scott H.E. Welch

Wed, Mar 31, 2010 3:09 PM

"Brent Hodges" vbhodges@gmail.com writes:

My boat had only one meter like yours, so I
replaced it and added a second Blue Sea gauge. You really don't know if the
other, or this one, are accurate after all these years. You can replace them
with new ones from Blue Sea for around $60 each. They have two sizes to
match or fit into your space. (Model #'s 9630 or 8246).

I would second this opinion. However, I would highly recommend the
multi-function digital AC meter:

http://bluesea.com/category/6/23/products/8247

This will show volts, amps, watts and frequency (the later is useful for the
genset). Plus it has alarms for over-current. I have several and am very
happy with them. One other nice thing about Blue Seas meters is that the
mounting system is very easy to use, you just cut a round hole and a large
threaded ring on the back holds the meter in.

Scott Welch
Chief Evangelist, Open Text Social Media Group
www.opentext.com
905 762 6101

"Things turn out best for people who make the best of the way things turn
out." - John Wooden

"Brent Hodges" <vbhodges@gmail.com> writes: >My boat had only one meter like yours, so I >replaced it and added a second Blue Sea gauge. You really don't know if the >other, or this one, are accurate after all these years. You can replace them >with new ones from Blue Sea for around $60 each. They have two sizes to >match or fit into your space. (Model #'s 9630 or 8246). I would second this opinion. However, I would highly recommend the multi-function digital AC meter: http://bluesea.com/category/6/23/products/8247 This will show volts, amps, watts and frequency (the later is useful for the genset). Plus it has alarms for over-current. I have several and am very happy with them. One other nice thing about Blue Seas meters is that the mounting system is very easy to use, you just cut a round hole and a large threaded ring on the back holds the meter in. Scott Welch Chief Evangelist, Open Text Social Media Group www.opentext.com 905 762 6101 "Things turn out best for people who make the best of the way things turn out." - John Wooden

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ammeter question