How can amperage be measured on a layout?

[conrailocs]

Hi,
My dad and I are building a large layout and currently have a small section of it connected to a NCE Powercab system. We are looking to purchase power boosters and expand the operable territory in the near future. In order to gauge how many boosters we would need, we wanted to run a test to find how much amperage would be drawn when we ran a sound equipped locomotive up our helix at full throttle. We connected a multi-meter in series with the Powercab to measure the amperage but the connection to the track was then lost and the locomotive wouldn't respond. If this didn't work, what will? We thought that we might try wiring the multi-meter in series with an old DC power pack, to avoid what may be a problem measuring it while using DCC.
Thanks,
conrailocs

 

[Iron Horseman]

Technically you need something like a RRampMeter.
http://www.tonystrains.com/products/pop-meters.htm

I have seen other threads that have posted links to circuits you can build yourself. I've never followed one to see how complicated it is. I have two of the above units.

 

[Railfan87]

If all you're interested in is if you need additional boosters, and analog AC ammeter will suffice.

 

[jdetray]

The NCE Power Cab has a built-in ammeter function. It's explained in the manual under SET UP THE CAB PARAMETERS, page 57 in my manual. The name of the parameter is SHOW TRACK CURRENT.

- Jeff