Morgan,
?
? You asked "Why hasn't someone made them and offer them for sale?".? Here is my
answer.
?
? First and foremost the DCC waveform is -significantly- different from most AC power.
It is much faster and it has a nearly vertical rise and fall.? And any meter you can buy
that is capable of measuring the DCC waveform itself is going to need to use much
more sophisticated (and therefore 'spendy') components.
?
? The do-it-yourself meter from MainNorth works - but it gives 'relative' current and not
actual.? That is one of the reasons for the cut out switch that bypasses the do it yourself
meter.? I know Marcus (MainNorth) personally and I'm certain he would agree with this.
? Yes, this do-it-yourself meter works well enough that you can use it and it will give?
you want you need - which is the ability to measure the amp draw of the layout or
even of an individual locomotive/train in actual operation.? But it is not likely that you
would want it to be wired in "permanently" (without the bypass switch.? But you don't
really need to have current draw showing all the time.
? But it is unlikely that anyone would manufacture this meter and sell it as a "DCC meter".
And, it is a simple and inexpensive circuit to make.
? One thing that isn't mentioned on the website is that you want one of these circuits
(DIY meters) for every booster if you have more than one booster.? Or you need to have
some way to select which booster it is measuring.
?
? I, for one, consider the RRamp meters to be worth the money.? I have one that I use
hand held and pressed down on the track to measure track voltage all around the
layout which helps me to identify any wiring errors/problems.? I have another one,
installed in the wiring just after the booster and just before all track wiring (including
before the PSX circuit breakers) that measures both amps and volts - this one is the
"equivalent" to the circuit from MainNorth - but allows it to be in the circuit at all
times with almost no voltage drop to the track (like the do-it-yourself meter).
?
? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? I hope this answers your question ... Jim in the PNW
Jim Betz