The problem is that there are some zero center meters in the "panel meter" category whose sellers haven't used the words "zero center" in the description, so a search won't find those.
You will have to just look through all 1587 "panel meter" search hits to find those, and I know there are some in there; I've seen them.
If is has to be a panel-mounted meter, you may be in for a tough search. If looking for an instrument that will do this, look to several: vacuum tube voltmeters could have their ZERO adjustment set to center value and most had a -|+ mark at center scale to set the pointer to; a transistorized voltmeter should do the same thing; a differential voltmeter not only can have a zero center indication, but you can offset that center by a precise number of volts and swing the pointer on either side of that.
For that matter, you can buy a nice differential voltmeter and ruin it by ripping the zero center meter out of it for your use. A pox on you if you take this advice.
If you get an ordinary 0-1mA movement, you can adjust the hair spring to create a centre-reading pointer.
Get a $10.00 multimeter from a Chinese $2.00 shop, or from an auto shop.
If you get an ordinary 0-1mA movement, you can adjust the hair spring to create a centre-reading pointer.
Get a $10.00 multimeter from a Chinese $2.00 shop, or from an auto shop.
I have done it may times and always got the pointer to centre-scale.
It just a matter of adjusting the hair-spring. You can desolder the end of the hair spring and reposition it on the pointer.
If you adjust to center and the meter was not designed for that will it still be linear? Will it be accurate on the low side or high side for that matter? My guess is some will some won't.
Will your application require the reading of overshoots? Will the meter still be usable for this?
I have done it may times and always got the pointer to centre-scale.
It just a matter of adjusting the hair-spring. You can desolder the end of the hair spring and reposition it on the pointer.