watt meter for DC

Thats the "rub" isn't it?
I mean we ether pay a lot for a lot or a little for a little. Ether way, we get what we pay for. Still, there are those rare occasions when we pay a little and get a lot.
When I started out it was with a relatively small system. 154 watts of PV, Trace C-30-A charge controller, and three 8-D "18 wheeler cranking batteries."
Dim lights - batteries low.
C-30-A clicking rapidly - batteries charged.

When the "future" arrived I was astonished by the TriMetric and wondered why I didn't get it sooner. The enchantment has worn off some but its still right there, in the wall by the front door under the indoor/outdoor digital thermometer telling what I need to know.

Its a wild feeling, when the TriMetric is set to display amps in/out and there are clouds coming and going. If I watch the amps in, going up and down, my peripheral vision is picking up the changing light levels from outside and it feels like I am in motion.

I am not trying to sell you a TriMetric, but if I had it to do all over again, I would have made some kind of monitor as much of a priority as the PV modules. Those first three batteries would have lasted longer.

Trojan T-105's are expected to last 5 to 7 seven years, (if sized and treated right) mine are still working on their eighth year. But I will never buy anymore T-105's. They have been good batteries but for one thing, the terminal posts break off way to easy. Sorry Trojan, but for that reason alone I am going to try Surrettes next.

God its great living in a country founded on Christianity and Democracy.
When asked, "Whose name is on that coin?" the reply was, "Caesar's"
"Then you should give to Caesar that which is Ceaser's and give to God that which is rightfully Gods, your eternal soul."
These words, or something to the effect of, were spoken nearly 2,000 years ago. During a time when mankids biggest worries wasnt energy, but what happens to our eternal soul. There is no reason why they shouldn't still be true today. Of course it would be Washington in place of Caesar. Washington being synonymous with the nations capital. There is a reason why we do not see lugage racks on hearse's.

A Trimeteric IS for keeping track of the "state of charge" of your batteries.  You kind of need one if you have a bigger system.  The cost is justified (for a Link or Trimetric) for a larger system (with more then one battery).  My larger system has 8 Trojan L16H batteries (cost over $2000) so I have a Link 10 watching them.  A smaller system I just completed (portable - (hand cart) with 2 T-125's = $360) only has the Watt's Up meter.  The Watt hour function is accurate for all rates because it multiplies voltage by amperage for a moment by moment tally (100 Watts @ 12v = 100 Watts @ 120v.  I put my meter between the charge controller and the battery to keep track of charging current and total charge.  At the other end I plugged in a Watts Up KWH meter to keep track of inverter usage.  Last thing if you use 100 Watt hours put 120-130 Watt hours back in (80% batt efficiency).