Thanks, Ian, for the explanation. I get a catalog from
allectronics.com. They have AC and DC meters in various ranges for $12
each. I pulled my electronics and it looks like it'd be easy to add a
meter to the DC side, especially if I can connect it between the
direction switch and the motor. Does it matter if the meter is on the
+ or - side?
If I have to put it between the board and the switch, it'll be more
difficult, but there's a wiring diagram in the manual that should help
me figure out what wire to use.
I'm still a little confused on the amperage rating. Is the 400W for
the lathe or the motor? The way I see it, if an appliance, i.e., the
lathe is rated at 400W, then it'll only draw 3.3A regardless of what
DC voltage is used. (And at 150% of that, a 5A meter would be OK.)
That would mean that the motor in a '400W' lathe running at 90VDC
would be rated at 300Watts (if we ignore the power used by the
electronics.) Feel free to point out the flaws in my logic. I'm just
thinking the resolution of a 5A meter would be much better than a 10A.
Ed
