Need some help with AC digital ammeters and volt meters..

[NeveSSL]

Hi all!

I am still new to electonics.  I've built a tube guitar amp (and was scared to death of the plates... lol) a few pedals, etc.

What I am looking at doing now is building a power distribution center for my rack, which houses my effects and what not.  I'll be able to tap 9v off of one of the effects lines for power of the digitals of the units.  Or just integrate a regulated 5v line with the necessary components to make a +5v and -5v if necessary.

On this distro, I am wanting a digital ammeter and volt meter to measure the amount of current my rig is drawing and how much voltage is available at the mains before I turn anything on. 

My question is how do I do this?  I have seen various kits of both, even some with blue led displays (which would definitely be a plus ), but I'm having a hard time finding what all I would need to do this on an AC line.  Any links or any help is VERY much appreciated, whether to products for sale or "How to" articles. 

I know there is a nice DC volt meter project on here, but how hard would it be to convert it to AC?

FWIW, I would like to have them matching and with blue LED's if I can since every guitarist likes his rig to look good. 

Thanks!!

Brandon

 

[MP1]

Here are some tips from an old Custom FX designer:
Some effects pedals use 9 volt with center hot and some use 9 volt with center common. Other effects use different voltages such as 15, 18, or 24. You will need to know a little about what you have before continuing.
Also, a common connection between voltage buss on the pedals can cause noise to enter into the circuitry. You need to consider noise elimination.
Lastly, why do you want a current meter on your effects pedals? You are not going to see much effect out of it. Most effects pedals use current in the lower milliamps. A small change when they are turned on and off, but not much else that is noticeable. (of course it depends upon what the effect is.)

Step 1. Go to the sites for each of your effects and find the current consumption and voltage specs/polarity from the online manuals. With this information, you can do this much easier.

MP

 

[NeveSSL]

Hi!

Thanks for the reply.

I apologize.  I should have been more clear.  The amp and volt meters are for the whole rig.  They will be connected to the power immediately coming in and then going to my power conditioner.  When I mentioned the effects, I meant that I could use one of the effects lines to power the digital components in the meters.

Now noise... that's something I need to learn more about.  I am actually planning on making custom power supplies for people based of off of the one I build for myself.  I was thinking of something that would start with a 110v -> 32v transformer and then I could tap off of that into different voltages [24v (some dunlop rack wahs), 12v (tube pedals, EH pedals), 9v (your standard), etc.] and go from there.  As far as center/ring positive, I could adjust that internally, or maybe even have a "polarity invert" switch on a couple of outlets if I was to sell them. 

Also, I only have 2 pedals right now, anyways... that's more of thinking ahead and thinking of a cool project to undertake. 

But that's after I get the meters working, anyways.  I'll probably just get a 5v adapter to power them to begin with.  Those are what I need help with the most right now.

But, if you have any links to noise isolation and control, that would be most welcome.  I have a feeling, though, that's just an "understanding" thing, where you need to know your basic stuff and how things interact to know how to avoid potential problems.  I'm in my first electronics class now, so that's helping, slowly but surely... heh.

Thanks again for your reply.

Brandon