Inline AC voltage meter

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Rich4349
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Joined: Wed Jul 30, 2008 10:18 am
Location: Kankakee, IL

Inline AC voltage meter

#1 Post by Rich4349 »

I'm sure you guys will have 5 legit good reasons as to why this isn't a good idea, but I've been thinking about building a small component box with a female Neutrik on one side and maybe a 4 foot male Neutrik cord coming out of the other side with a cheap AC voltage meter flush mounted in the enclosure. (This arrangement was dreamt up when I thought of placing it near the speakers. Reverse the male / female for a close to the amp rack configuration.)

These could be used during setup alone, or possibly left in place during the gig. (This is where someone tells me 4 hours of 20-30 amps will cook this meter or some other parade raining fact.)

I'm looking at something like this:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/197591464829?_ ... OeZg&pfm=0

Since voltage awareness is so crucial, I just thought it'd be nice (ok and fun) to be able to monitor in real time. It could be installed on the proximal end of the cable coming right out of the amps.

Ok: commence party pooping!
2 DR250s, 2 27" Lab15 T-60s, 2 30" Neo Titan 39s, 1 Autotuba...and looking for more!

Bruce Weldy
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Location: New Braunfels, TX

Re: Inline AC voltage meter

#2 Post by Bruce Weldy »

Problem is that it will jump around based on every note sent through the cable....and it isn't even a digital readout. Honestly don't see what it can tell you since the info you get won't really mean anything.

6 - T39 3012LF
4 - OT12 2512
1 - T24
1 - SLA Pro
2 - XF210


"A system with a few knobs set up by someone who knows what they are doing is always better than one with a lot of knobs set up by someone who doesn't."

Rich4349
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Joined: Wed Jul 30, 2008 10:18 am
Location: Kankakee, IL

Re: Inline AC voltage meter

#3 Post by Rich4349 »

Wouldn't the bass notes call for highest voltage? You could just watch for a couple beats to see how high it goes.

For some reason digital, 0-100 volt AC meters are exceedingly rare.
2 DR250s, 2 27" Lab15 T-60s, 2 30" Neo Titan 39s, 1 Autotuba...and looking for more!

Bruce Weldy
Posts: 8585
Joined: Fri Nov 27, 2009 11:37 am
Location: New Braunfels, TX

Re: Inline AC voltage meter

#4 Post by Bruce Weldy »

Rich4349 wrote: Sat Aug 30, 2025 2:24 pm Wouldn't the bass notes call for highest voltage? You could just watch for a couple beats to see how high it goes.

For some reason digital, 0-100 volt AC meters are exceedingly rare.
You certainly can, but it will be boucing around like crazy.

6 - T39 3012LF
4 - OT12 2512
1 - T24
1 - SLA Pro
2 - XF210


"A system with a few knobs set up by someone who knows what they are doing is always better than one with a lot of knobs set up by someone who doesn't."

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Seth
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Re: Inline AC voltage meter

#5 Post by Seth »

Unless they're digitally produced sine wave bass notes and are actually hotter in the mix than every other sound, the gauge won't give you anything of value other than entertainment and enjoyment of watching it bounce around like a Hooters marathon team. For setting up the limiter, it could be handy. But, even that's recommended to be done with the speakers disconnected and using a DMM isn't so much work to make an analogue gauge contraption worth the effort... For me anyway. It's cheap enough, though. Go for it if it's interesting to you. Nothing to lose but a few bucks and plenty of first hand experience to gain.
Build in process - 2 WH6, one Alpha 6a loaded, one PRV Audio 6MB250-NDY loaded

Two 2x6 shorty SLA Pro's
One T39, 16", 3012LF loaded
Tall AutoTuba, 20" wide, 2x 8" MCM 55-2421
TruckTuba, 8½" wide, 2x 8" MCM 55-2421

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AntonZ
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Re: Inline AC voltage meter

#6 Post by AntonZ »

Seth wrote: Tue Sep 02, 2025 11:36 amentertainment and enjoyment of watching it bounce around like a Hooters marathon team
Now wiping coffee of my screen and keyboard. Thanks for the laugh, Seth :lol:

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Seth
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Re: Inline AC voltage meter

#7 Post by Seth »

AntonZ wrote: Wed Sep 03, 2025 3:47 am
Seth wrote: Tue Sep 02, 2025 11:36 amentertainment and enjoyment of watching it bounce around like a Hooters marathon team
Now wiping coffee of my screen and keyboard. Thanks for the laugh, Seth :lol:
:fruit:
Build in process - 2 WH6, one Alpha 6a loaded, one PRV Audio 6MB250-NDY loaded

Two 2x6 shorty SLA Pro's
One T39, 16", 3012LF loaded
Tall AutoTuba, 20" wide, 2x 8" MCM 55-2421
TruckTuba, 8½" wide, 2x 8" MCM 55-2421

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