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In line, real time voltage meter

Posted: Sun Dec 10, 2023 12:44 pm
by Rich4349
I wondered if, in addition to measuring voltage output from the onset, one could use an inline meter to continuously monitor amp voltage output, and found this:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/134668199054
"Voltmeter For Neutrik Powercon • Digital Line Tester • Theater, TV.

This is a lo-res volt meter for quickly checking whether you have 120 or 208 voltage on lines terminated in Neutrik Powercon, as found in lighting, video or sound rigs in theater, television, concerts and industrials.

As you can see from the pics the plus/minus is at least 2v. Will measure from 50-500v."

If this was installed, either at the amp's output close to Mission control, or distally at the speakers, in conjunction with a Neutrik splitter

https://www.amazon.com/CESS-132-Speakon ... ef=sr_1_24?

the system operator could be aware of the voltage at all times.

Foolish? Clever? Unnecessary?

Re: In line, real time voltage meter

Posted: Sun Dec 10, 2023 2:30 pm
by Bill Fitzmaurice
That's for measuring the line voltage. It's a Powercon connector, not Speakon.

Re: In line, real time voltage meter

Posted: Sun Dec 10, 2023 7:44 pm
by Bruce Weldy
I tried this once by hooking up my voltmeter paralleled to the speaker cab during a show. Because of different impedances of frequencies and it not being a consistant signal.....it was pretty much useless. Bounced all over the place.

Re: In line, real time voltage meter

Posted: Sun Dec 10, 2023 8:07 pm
by Seth
Rich4349 wrote: Sun Dec 10, 2023 12:44 pm I wondered if... ...one could use an inline meter to continuously monitor amp voltage output...
I'm pretty sure you should look into True RMS Voltmeters. Not 100% positive they'd do what you're talking about though. It's on my list of things to try/test. (the list I seem to never get around to :cry: )

Re: In line, real time voltage meter

Posted: Sun Dec 10, 2023 8:53 pm
by Bill Fitzmaurice
No matter what you use the voltage output of an amp with music program isn't anywhere near constant, so you can't monitor it.

Re: In line, real time voltage meter

Posted: Mon Dec 11, 2023 6:58 am
by Rich4349
The eBay seller said he makes these himself, and that if a Neutrik Speakon fit the current item dimensions, then he COULD use one, instead. He also said that due to "several reasons", the values would be all over the place. (Partly because he admitted the meters he's using aren't a precision part.) I appreciated his candor.

I suppose if a manufacturer chose to, they could install a circuit that gives you a peak value every X number of seconds, but then we're no longer talking about a $25 item.

Perhaps an amplifier company could add this to a model, but then THEY would add another 5-10% to the price of the amp.