We've been traveling a bit (thousands of miles in winter conditions) so haven't worked on the project for a few days.
I had some equipment arrive which included a Hall Effect Amp sensor (photo below). ACS part number 11-13991.
It would be nice to monitor the alternator outputs, but also nice to see the load on the system. I'd read where someone was going to use one sensor on two cables from the alternators. I wonder how accurate that would be, but maybe just confirming that each of the alternators is producing power is good enough.
The sensitivity chart shows more millivolts per amp on smaller wires which is because the magnetic field is more intense around a smaller wire carrying one amp than a larger wire carrying one amp.
I'd asked ACS about using this with SkyView and they recommend the shunt and I'm guessing it's because it will require calibration.
Several advantages of these are it eliminates more junction points in the lines or cables where the shunt is installed and reduces exposure of the battery voltage to unintended shorts to ground (like errant wrenches). To install, just put each small circuit board on opposite sides of the cable, tighten the cable ties and put clear heat shrink over it.
Disadvantages are that this requires a 5 volt power source. If the glass panel dies, so does the ammeter. Calibration will require temporary use of a test ammeter. Should not be mounted in the engine compartment.
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| High Sensitivity Amp Sensor |
Also received some 25 Amp toggle panel switches that were surplus for $.60 each from Del City. They seem to be decent quality but have solder terminals instead of screw. I've got some of the breaker switches from ACS for about $25 each and it looks like the price has recently gone up on them.
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