12V distribution box

[activemind]

I have installed a bunch of 12V landscape lighting powered through a server grade 12V power supply. I needed more outputs and so started looking at products like this:

http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/__17138__Hobbyking_PowerStrip_Fuse_Protected_Power_Distribution_Board.html

But then I thought that there was no way to monitor these from Vera. So I thought I could build one of these with MySensors monitoring on every port.

The requirements I have so far are:

1. 1 input 6-8 outputs
2. Fuse and switch on each one.
3. Thinking about putting one of these meters on the box itself.
   http://www.ebay.com/itm/DC-100V-10A-Voltmeter-Ammeter-Blue-Red-LED-Amp-Dual-Digital-Volt-Meter-Gauge-K2-/271866500226?hash=item3f4c819482
4. Current monioring on each port . Shutoff too??
5. 2.1mm center DC connector.
6. What box to use for this?

Comments?

-AM

[activemind]

Cobbeled together the display connections this morning

Just some simple connections on perfboard with dc connectors

Testing it on my desk

Connected to my landscape lighting 12V supply.

Now I need to think about adding mysensors circuitry to this.

-AM

[activemind]

Moving this project along, whats the most cost effective way to measure the current and power for this circuit? What chip can I use? I see some from TI but wanted input from other more experienced members.

-AM

[hek]

In the 3-25V range you could use something like this:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Voltage-And-Current-Sensor-Consume-Voltage-Load-Detection-Module-Arduino-New-/262407838735?hash=item3d18b9dc0f:g:GoMAAOSwv0tVHKUL

[activemind]

Thanks @hek . Thats exactly what I was looking for.

Since I am planning more than one channels(outputs) in this distribution box, is there a similar version with multiple channels or I just have to put more of these?

-AM

[activemind]

Looking at the specs, I see another issue.

Voltage should be fine but this module can go only till 3A current.

I would need higher rating because I expect the current to be ~5A in my applications.

-AM

[activemind]

I think this should work better:
http://www.aliexpress.com/item/30A-Hall-Current-Sensor-Module-ACS712-model-30A/32261284249.html?spm=2114.30010308.3.37.13cHad&ws_ab_test=searchweb201556_0,searchweb201602_3_10037_10017_507_10033_10032_401,searchweb201603_2&btsid=31546f77-1aa4-429f-abb3-cede43201686

-AM

[activemind]

I need some help in finding a case for this setup. Here is a list of stuff that goes in it:

1. VA display shown above on the top or side.
2. around 6 DC 2.1mm connectors.
3. All the mysensors circuitry. I will probably be using the myS or slimnode pcb.
4. hall effect sensor module as linked in post above.

Still waiting on some of the parts to trickle in so that I can get a better idea of the space I need but I am open to suggestions.

-AM