Digital Amp Meter & Water Thermometer?

If you have made Upgrades and/or Modifications to your machine, let us know about them here.
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Marcos Bastian
Posts: 6
Joined: Fri Apr 12, 2019
Location: Orlando; Florida; Orange County
Country: USA
Nickname: Marcos
Laser Machine Make or Type: Ridgeyard / Chinese red & black model
Laser Power: 60
Laser Bed Size: 700 x 500
Home Position: TL
RDWorks Version: n/a
Windows Version: 8
Accessories: 3040 Chinese CNC; RepRap 3d Printer

Peeps,

In preparation for my new 60w engraver (which is yet to arrive), I purchased a standard 30 milliamp analog panel to be installed.

However I was wondering if anyone has tried inexpensive digital panels? I’ve seen several models on Amazon, but have no technical knowledge to evaluate them. Suggestions?

And while we are at it: any tips on (equally inexpensive) digital thermometers/panels for the water container? (I’m not buying a $400 chiller yet, or my wife will leave me and take the dog). :shock:

Thanks!
MB
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Willy Ivy
Posts: 174
Joined: Tue Aug 09, 2016
Location: Pattison, Texas
Country: USA
Nickname: Willy
Laser Machine Make or Type: KH 7050
Laser Power: 60W
Laser Bed Size: 12" x 20"
Home Position: TL
Control Software: LIGHTBURN
RDWorks Version: v8.01.18
LightBurn Version: 1.6.03
Ruida Controller: RDC6442
Windows Version: W7 Pro, W10
Accessories: Hot dog rotary
Gantry powered rotary (plans supplied by Gene Uselman)
Lightburn camera
Homemade chiller (mini fridge)
Ultimate air assist
Dad Burn It Laser (.com)
Contact:
Contact Willy Ivy

Analog is better as most digital meters can not read and accurately display correct results because the rate of change is too fast.
Digital thermometers are always good. Because they are so cheap now, buy two. If they both read pretty close to one another then you know when your reaching the danger zone.
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Thank You
Willy
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Marcos Bastian
Posts: 6
Joined: Fri Apr 12, 2019
Location: Orlando; Florida; Orange County
Country: USA
Nickname: Marcos
Laser Machine Make or Type: Ridgeyard / Chinese red & black model
Laser Power: 60
Laser Bed Size: 700 x 500
Home Position: TL
RDWorks Version: n/a
Windows Version: 8
Accessories: 3040 Chinese CNC; RepRap 3d Printer

Thanks! Just bought this one for the water tub:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01L1DLPWG/re ... TCbZWT8ZQG
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Dave Klein
Posts: 7
Joined: Fri Mar 29, 2019
Location: Port Charlotte / Flordia
Country: USA
Nickname: Pepsikid
Laser Machine Make or Type: 60w Red&Black
Laser Power: 60W
Laser Bed Size: 20 x 27
Home Position: TL
RDWorks Version: V8.01.10
Windows Version: win10 Pro
Accessories: both 3-Jaw and platform rotary axis, CW3000 water chiller, 1 gal. air compressor.

Yes, I use a DIGITAL mA meter. Purchased from www.mpja.com. Works great, no guess work or fine focusing on analog display, what you see is what your using (0 - 999 mA). I.E. if tube is using 22ma, 22 is displayed.
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Marcos Bastian
Posts: 6
Joined: Fri Apr 12, 2019
Location: Orlando; Florida; Orange County
Country: USA
Nickname: Marcos
Laser Machine Make or Type: Ridgeyard / Chinese red & black model
Laser Power: 60
Laser Bed Size: 700 x 500
Home Position: TL
RDWorks Version: n/a
Windows Version: 8
Accessories: 3040 Chinese CNC; RepRap 3d Printer

Thank you Dave!

I purchased the model below through Amazon, and will provide a follow-up in a couple of weeks, once I’ve had time to install and test. I also have the manual amp meter set aside if this one doesn’t work.

C6F570E0-F856-4735-AD90-CD19EFA35942.jpeg
(seller’s description)
9F636C2C-47EF-41DE-804B-F8ACA39B6600.jpeg
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Dave Vigness
Posts: 526
Joined: Sun Dec 15, 2019
Location: Kansas City - Rural
Country: USA
Nickname: Dave
Laser Machine Make or Type: Chine Red and Black
Laser Power: EF RF2 80W
Laser Bed Size: 20 x 26
Home Position: TR
Control Software: RDWORKS
RDWorks Version: 8.01.54
Ruida Controller: RDC6445
Windows Version: 7
Accessories: Power Switch for air assist / exhaust blower, Ma meter with switch for external digital, dual digital temp gauge, LED lights under gantry and and and.

Pics and a list here. https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/ ... sp=sharing

I purchased a small analog off of Amazon for less than $10. I used my high dollar digital, the one that I got free with any other purchase at Harbor Freight, to check it. Yes the digital does not pick up quick changes like the analog, but for true numbers on longer cuts, or when I'm using the Dohicky, I like the tenth decimal point accuracy.
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Dave Vigness
Posts: 526
Joined: Sun Dec 15, 2019
Location: Kansas City - Rural
Country: USA
Nickname: Dave
Laser Machine Make or Type: Chine Red and Black
Laser Power: EF RF2 80W
Laser Bed Size: 20 x 26
Home Position: TR
Control Software: RDWORKS
RDWorks Version: 8.01.54
Ruida Controller: RDC6445
Windows Version: 7
Accessories: Power Switch for air assist / exhaust blower, Ma meter with switch for external digital, dual digital temp gauge, LED lights under gantry and and and.

Pics and a list here. https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/ ... sp=sharing

Update :

Doing all sorts of mods, will post completion pics once the project is complete.

Found a DUAL temp gauge for aquariums on Amazon for a whopping $11.99! Watch yourself though, I wasn't paying attention and clicked on the C version instead of the F. Had to return and reorder. Made a bit of a shroud for the return flow over the sensor, and the second probe sits down at the other end of the tank near the pump.

Going to seriously think about a small fridge for a chiller, but with a large coil instead of an 'open' bucket. Will see what I can find for a digital temp gauge with some sort of relay control for the chiller loop pump.


For a meter, I installed the 30Ma analog. Unless you have a 100W or higher, it will be more than you should ever pull for your tube / power supply. But as I said, I like the digital for precise metering for test / calibration. Since I'm adding and extension for the new Ruida controller, I added a DPDT switch, and put a pair for those red and black terminals on the end if the extension. Normal is the analog, but if I need more precision for power testing, I just flip the switch and put my probes in the external terminals and I'm all set.
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