current monitor during operation

[JohnD]

What's the best place to setup a permanent DMM to measure current on a setup with external variable current pot (so that mv readings can equate to know/measured power)? Inbetween diode and driver? Inbetween driver and battery? Thanks!

 

[Rafa]

In series with the load.

 

[Benm]

I'd solder a 1 ohm resistor between driver and diode, and measure mV across that.

 

[james1095]

If the driver is linear, then it doesn't really matter, current in will equal current out. Still the best bet is to measure it on the output side, a precision 1 Ohm resistor will give you 1V per Amp. Cheap digital panel meters are available on ebay and elsewhere, although most need an isolated power source. I found some surplus DC-DC converter modules that work great.