Where to Buy Panel Meters?

d1983 · 21st January 2009, 03:48 PM

Hi all,
I've been scouring the internet to find a cool retro panel meter, preferably one with fairly low dc current range. I've come across a couple of sites that have meters that are passable, but I'm looking for something really retro.
Any ideas?

Here's what I've found:
http://www.meterdistributor.com
http://www.allelectronics.com

Geek · 22nd January 2009, 04:30 AM

Shop local and not break the bank

http://www.mainelectronics.com/panelmeter.htm

Cheers!

PM650 · 23rd January 2009, 05:12 AM

I prefer to get my meters out of ca 1930-40's VTVMs

I can post a pic or two once I get home tomorrow.

PM650 · 23rd January 2009, 05:43 AM

Pic attached of an identical unit I found online.

dangus · 25th January 2009, 12:15 AM

Try a ham radio swap meet. Prices are low, and often free towards the end. If you arrive too late, check the nearest dumpster, because a lot of sellers just want to get rid of stuff.

Rob11966 · 25th January 2009, 12:42 AM

OK,

Spent a lot of time looking for these and here is the secret -

http://www.fairradio.com/

Here is the direct link to the meter section -

http://www.fairradio.com/catalog.php...categoryid=216

I stocked up on a whole lot of (new) retro looking great quality meters at good prices.

The folks at Fairradio don't say much and their emails responses are pretty brief but they post quickly and pack well.

Hope this helps.

Rob

PS - I am not affiliated with fair radio!

VictoriaGuy · 25th January 2009, 03:15 AM

Retro-looking knock-offs on eBay
100mA
200mA
100mA with funky backlight

No idea of the quality, but meters like these are mostly for decoration anyway, I suppose.

Cheers
John

Rob11966 · 25th January 2009, 03:57 AM

Hi John,

I originally bought a couple of these (if not identical, very similar) from ebay. With no disrespect to the seller, the quality is not great - Chinese made, plastic body and plastic cover and inaccurate. Hence my search for something better.

The ones that I bought from fairradio were only a couple of dollars more (I think they were about $15 US from memory). They are heavy, full metal construction (A&M manufactured - formally Weston) and sealed against the elements with rubber gaskets. The face cover is glass. They look like they might have been made for aircraft instrument panels. They are high quality meters.

Despite the stamp on the back indicating that they should not be dissembled, I pulled them apart, drilled a couple of small holes in the back and added a blue LED to give some back lighting. They look great and I am going to use them as bias meters for an 845 amp that I am building.

I have attached a photo.

Cheers,

Rob

Rob11966 · 25th January 2009, 03:59 AM

and in the dark..

Geek · 25th January 2009, 11:20 AM

Those are just downright sexayyy!

21st January 2009, 03:48 PM	#1
d1983 diyAudio Member Join Date: Mar 2007	Where to Buy Panel Meters? Hi all, I've been scouring the internet to find a cool retro panel meter, preferably one with fairly low dc current range. I've come across a couple of sites that have meters that are passable, but I'm looking for something really retro. Any ideas? Here's what I've found: http://www.meterdistributor.com http://www.allelectronics.com

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22nd January 2009, 04:30 AM	#2
Geek diyAudio Member Join Date: Sep 2004	Shop local and not break the bank http://www.mainelectronics.com/panelmeter.htm Cheers!

23rd January 2009, 05:12 AM	#3
PM650 diyAudio Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Tennessee	I prefer to get my meters out of ca 1930-40's VTVMs I can post a pic or two once I get home tomorrow.

25th January 2009, 12:15 AM	#5
dangus diyAudio Member Join Date: May 2004 Location: Vancouver Island	Try a ham radio swap meet. Prices are low, and often free towards the end. If you arrive too late, check the nearest dumpster, because a lot of sellers just want to get rid of stuff.

25th January 2009, 12:42 AM	#6
Rob11966 diyAudio Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Australia	OK, Spent a lot of time looking for these and here is the secret - http://www.fairradio.com/ Here is the direct link to the meter section - http://www.fairradio.com/catalog.php...categoryid=216 I stocked up on a whole lot of (new) retro looking great quality meters at good prices. The folks at Fairradio don't say much and their emails responses are pretty brief but they post quickly and pack well. Hope this helps. Rob PS - I am not affiliated with fair radio!

25th January 2009, 03:15 AM	#7
VictoriaGuy diyAudio Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Victoria, BC	Retro-looking knock-offs on eBay 100mA 200mA 100mA with funky backlight No idea of the quality, but meters like these are mostly for decoration anyway, I suppose. Cheers John

25th January 2009, 11:20 AM	#10
Geek diyAudio Member Join Date: Sep 2004	Those are just downright sexayyy!

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