Can anyone explain exactly what a load meter is and how you build one?

e.g. how is it different from an ammeter?

 

Also - I haven't been able to figure out how to get continuous load value for various avionics.

The only available informaiton seems to be the max load.   I'm trying to size the

essential bus in an informed way.

Colyn,

 

An ammeter is a sensor placed on the battery to bus supply line to determine whether energy is flowing to the battery (meter +) or flowing out (ammeter -).  A hall-effect device surrounding the battery anode line can sense the current flow magnitude and direction.

 

A similar hall-effect sensor can be placed on the alternator B-lead to sense the current magnitude (the load) flowing to the main bus, including topping off the battery.

 

Essential bus, see

 

 

See his 60 amp diode with a very low voltage drop for your essential bus.  He has great stuff.