where to put watt meter??

[sephuk]

Hi all, ive just set up a panel, controller and battery in my garage and i have a watt meter, i would like to use it to read how much power the panel is collecting so would it be ok to connect it in between the panel and controller, or should i be putting it between the controller and battery? sorry if this is a silly question but this is my 1st set up im playing with and its only been up and running for 2 days.

[inetdog]

Hi all, ive just set up a panel, controller and battery in my garage and i have a watt meter, i would like to use it to read how much power the panel is collecting so would it be ok to connect it in between the panel and controller, or should i be putting it between the controller and battery? sorry if this is a silly question but this is my 1st set up im playing with and its only been up and running for 2 days.

If you have a DC watt meter, then you can put it between the panels and the CC or between the CC and the batteries.
If you use a PWM CC, you will see that you are getting less than the maximum possible amount of power from the panels, and the power number measured at the panels could be within 10% or more lower than what you would read on the output of the CC.

[sephuk]

Thanks for the reply, I'll put it between the panel and control then as I want to get another to show the battery volt and what I'm using

[jony101]

I put mine between the controller and battery. That way I know how much voltage the battery is getting and the amps, mine also tracks the total amp/hours received. Hooking up to the panel wont tell you much, since the charge controller determines how much amps your battery actually gets.

[sephuk]

I put mine between the controller and battery. That way I know how much voltage the battery is getting and the amps, mine also tracks the total amp/hours received. Hooking up to the panel wont tell you much, since the charge controller determines how much amps your battery actually gets.

Would I be able to hook up another to get readings for how much power is being used?

If I went; control into the source of watt meter1 then in to the load side of watt meter2 then into battery?

[inetdog]

Would I be able to hook up another to get readings for how much power is being used?

If I went; control into the source of watt meter1 then in to the load side of watt meter2 then into battery?

To get production and consumption, you would put one energy meter between CC and batteries and the second between batteries and your loads.
No need to put one on the panel output.

[Mickdundee]

Hi im new and cofused please help, i have bought a watt meter and want to see how much watts i consume ie when i switcha tv on so how and where do i connect the meter ? Is it from battery to cc and iff so can you please be exact, thanis in advance mick