The Blue Sea Systems 8248 DC Digital Multimeter reads -500 to +500 amps and 0 to 60 volts in 0.01 volt steps, supplied with a 500 amp shunt.
Reading negative and positive amperage is what makes this a charging tool rather than only a load meter. Current flowing out under load and back in while charging both appear on the same display, so whether the alternator or charger is actually keeping up is visible rather than assumed.
One installation caveat matters. The standard meter works in the negative side of the circuit only, and a Shunt Shifter is required to install it on the positive side, such as at an alternator. Ordering the meter without checking which side the shunt has to go is how an installation stalls halfway through.
High and low voltage alarms sound and display, and 0.01 volt resolution is fine enough to watch a bank recovering. Brightness has three settings, the front is splashproof and a programmable sleep mode blanks the display to save power. It suits 12, 24, 32, 36 and 42 volt DC systems. Explore more marine electrical meters.
- Reads current both out and in, not just load
- Shows whether the alternator is keeping up
- Negative side only without a Shunt Shifter
- 500A shunt supplied, 0.01 volt resolution
