Multi meter Settings

1). Your multimeter is likely to have a 10 amp setting on the switch. There will also be a specific 10amp socket for the positive test probe. Set the switch to the correct position and plug the positive probe into the 10 amp socket on the multimeter.

2) Disconnect the positive lead from the regulator to the battery, either at the regulator or at the battery, doesn't matter.

If you've disconnected at the regulator, place the positive probe on the regulator's terminal and the negative on the wire that goes to the battery and read the amps.

If you've disconnected at the battery, place the positive probe on the end of the wire and the negative on the +ve battery post and read the amps.

Note: If you get the probes the wrong way around you will get a negative amp reading. That does not matter, the actual figure will be the current going into the battery.

Over time, I have bought 3 of these for different applications. They are a great and easy addition to your system to keep an eye on volts, amps, watts. amp hours etc etc.

Watt Meter

Much easier than connecting up your multimeter to measure amps.

Cheers

I use a DC clamp meter. Probably not as accurate as the other way suggested but a lot easier and faster.

Thanks Frank. As soon as the sun comes out again I will give it a go

Jeff

Trouper.
Only by inserting the multimeter in series with either the positive or negatib=ve line between regulator and battery will you actually see what the current flow really is.
If measuring the amp flow,, using the multimeter set on amps, inserted into the line between the panel and the MPPT regulator you will not see the amp flow into the battery, you will see less amps than what is really running from the regulator to the battery. Reason is, the MPPT holds the panel at a much higher/optimum voltage than a pulse regulator does and so the amps in the panel side may be less and the voltage measured there may be higher and the product of that energy level will cause more amps to battery than is measured in the solar line. That is exactly what an MPPT regulator is for.
So for a more accurate reading between the battery and regulator is the place to measure.
The wattmeter/ampHr meters also are a good idea as mentioned.
What you have done by placing the regulator close to the battery is advantageous because the solar lead may be still the same cable but the MPPT can utilize the higher voltage level in that line and deliver more to the battery as a result. Cables which lessen resistance between the panels and reg, or reg and battery, is always going to be of benefit for best energy capture.

Generally multimeters are not suitable for measuring amps for any significant amount of time. Heed the warnings on yours!

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Trouper,

A word of warning when using your multimeter to measure current (Amps) as described above by Frank and RMD.

When the meter lead is placed into the "10 Amp socket on the meter" be very careful to NOT CONNECT your multimeter across the battery or wiring as you would when measuring voltage. If you were to do this a very large current will flow through the meter and blow the internal fuse (and maybe worse!).

It is wise to remove the test lead from the meter's 10A socket as soon as you have completed making the current measurement. If I had always done so then I would not have needed to replace my meter's internal fuse as many times as I have! LOL

Thankyou all for your informative replys. With a bit of luck I wont blow the meter.

Jeff

Go and get yourself a DC clamp meter like this one.. I carry one camping and it allows you to check all sorts of things including solar output, load consumption, alternator output, parasitic drain etc. Also has a basic multimeter function. I find it incredibly handy when inevitably I get asked to diagnose someones dual battery / solar install.

Pat

One thing I have not noticed above is that generally a solar controller should not be disconnected from the battery whilst the panels are connected. When working on a solar system the panels should be disconnected first. Then you insert the meter between the controller and the battery. When the meter is in place then reconnect the panel(s.)

A watt meter can be a very handy tool also.

This is just one brand that I knew of off the top of my head.

https://www.australiandirect.com.au/Battery-Systems/Electronics-Appliances/KAMeter1

Current (Amps/A) at the present moment
Voltage (Volts/V) at the present moment
Power (Watts/W) at the present moment
Total Amps (Amp hours/Ah) since device initialised
Total Power (Kilo Watt hours/KWh) since device initialised
Highest Voltage Maximum (Vm) since device initialised
Highest Power Peak (Watt Peak/Wp) since device initialised
Highest Current Peak (Amp Peak/Ap) since device initialised