Scirocco-l Digest, Vol 16, Issue 68 (Gauges)

[roccit_53 at scirocco.cs.uoguelph.ca (C Boyko)]

On 10:08:57 am 06/22/06 Drew Mac <drew@scirocco.cs.uoguelph.ca> wrote:
> Dan Bubb wrote:
>
> > So, a shunted ammeter uses a shunt!!! ;^)
> > A shunt is a high current, low ohm resistor that is put in series
> > between the battery and any load you want to measure. Then the
> > meter is wired in parallel to the shunt. So, most of the current goes
> > through the shunt but some of the current, in proportion to the ratio
> > of the shunt resistance to the meter resistance, goes thru the
> > meter. Sounds like a cleaner solution. Unfortunately, a shunted ammeter
> > costs about 4 times what a normal ammeter costs! Does anybody care
> >   about this?
> >
>
> I do - you saved me from responding to your post and explaining what
> a shunt was by answering your own question! :)
>
> Drew
>
I'm guessing my son does too, he discovered the value of a fire
extinguisher some time back, by installing an inexpensive ammeter, likely
in the wrong fashion. Regardless, his leg got hot and his girlfriend got
excited, but it wasn't exactly an enjoyable experience for either of them.
Cathy