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I purchased several used vintage volt and amp meters off of Ebay for less than the price of the cheap modern plastic meters.  The vintage meters have thick bakelite shells, glass windows, much heavier construction and a classic look that really complements my postwar layout.

 

 

 

I no longer have a Mouser Catalog but as I recall their meters were the "moving iron vane" type by Simpson brand which is higher quality in the $85-$90 price range. The Light Object, Shurite, AllElectric and other brand panel meters discussed above are inexpensive simple "moving magnet" type. In my experience the cheap $10-$15 meters are sufficient for monitoring Toy Train power districts. Usually only 1-1/2% to 2-1/2% + or [-] variation.

Last edited by Dewey Trogdon

Harbor Freight has small multimeters on sale for $3.99. They are small enough where you could take the guts out of the case and mount in a panel.

 

Amps are DC amps but I'm wondering if you could add circuitry to convert it to an AC ampmeter (John?). It's been too long since school for me to remember. I know we spent a lot of time on meters.

 

Just noticed you asked about analog meters, not digital. I would still be interested to know what it would take to convert a DC ampmeter to AC.

Rich

Light Object's AC analog panel meters are $9.50 each. The Ammeter is 0-15 amp range and the appropriate voltmeter is 0-30 range. I have only tested them[successfully]on a single power district----my regular meters are DER 670 [15 years old]. I used a Sperry bench meter from the family Electric Shop to check the Light Object readings. 

Post

OGR Publishing, Inc., 1310 Eastside Centre Ct, Ste 6, Mountain Home, AR 72653
800-980-OGRR (6477)
www.ogaugerr.com

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