> am changing my voltmeter design a 3rd time and going with the LM3914. Ianother
> have yet to figure out how I can use it for an ammeter, but that's
> story.shunt. http://www.tpub.com/content/neets/14175/css/14175_33.htm
That's how those cheap digital testers work, if you crack one open
you'll find a big piece of wire (1,5mm diameter, about 1 inch long),
that's the shunt resistor.
BTW, you know about the ICL7107 right? It's a 40-pin IC with all you
need to drive a 3 1/2 digit 7-seg led display, exactly like cheap
testers. www.intersil.com, order free samples with free shipping!