i picked up a bunch of gauges from the swap meet a while back and now ive installed them in my 56 chevy the only one im not shure about is the ampers gauge ..what do i run the wires from i know its in series but from what .. ignition threw the gauge to battery or from alt in series to battery ..help me out ...and yes i did a search on the net nothing i could find in detail
its and after market guage...its a sun pro so i guess one side goes to the battery and the other side goes to the alt????
yes.... the output of the charging system to the + side of the ammeter , - side of gauge to the + side of battery. take power for all your electrical system from the + side of gauge. there are no other wires connected to it. i still prefer volt gauges
Using an amp meter when you have an alternator or a charging system that charges more than the meter is calibrated for.......: You probably will damage the meter. You should use a shunt across the meter terminals so as to NOT run full amperage thru the meter, but still show the correct rate of charge/discharge. If for instance you have a 61 amp GM alternator and use a 60-0-60 ampmeter you must run at least a number 10 wire and if it's longer than about 6 feet total an 8 guage wire. Do a Google search for ammeter amp meter shunt. Back in the day, generators put out half that current and many used shunts internally or externally. Short answer? ..... use a voltmeter.
Nope, voltmeter is not same as amp...much safer, easier to hook up....just hook up the (+) terminal of the meter to any ign on (+) (there may be a "blank" in yer fuse block), and (-) terminal to ground.....
Apples and oranges. At least U didnt get a lemon. + terminal to voltage with key on...(any hot wire with key on). - terminal to ground (body). U can use #16 wire.
just double checked with sunpros tech line ... - side of volt meter to a 18 guage ground + side of volt meter to a 18 gauge switched 12volt source ... thanks guys for the prompt help and support ...have a good rest of the day ..gotta work..
well ..here goes ...problem as usuall i called sun pro direct and was able to talk to the tech and ask how to hook up a volt meter as above describes ...well after hooking the gauge up i come to find its only reading 8 volts thats the highest it will read tryed another gauge and same thing .. i went to the battery and it is reading 13 to 14 volts ... also checked the alt wich has been converted to 1 wire and it to reads 13 to 14 volts ..why is the gauges not reading the same volts ... i grounded 1 side like the tech said and i ran another wire 1st from the battery just to try it and same 8 volts ,than ran a wire straight from the alt same thing 8 volts ..help please ...its preety much the last electrical thing i need to do in the car besides running anew headlight switch ...thanks.
i did use a multi meter ...it reads where it is supposed to be 13.9 to 14v ..on the meter but on the gauges it not even close tomorrw i will remove the gauge from the p****..and bring it closer to the battery ..i will run a ground to one side and than run a 12v source straight from the battery ..and see what i get if it still dont read than i know the gauge is shot ...
it reads 13 to 14 volts with a real multimeter? the gauge reads 8 volts? Is there a good ground between the battery, frame, engine and body? Are your headlights dim?
yes good new multi meter .reads 13 to 14 volts head lights are not installed yet yes there is gounds all over
Noper. The gauge might be FUBAR, but not SNAFU. Fu*ed Up Beyond All Recognition Maybe he's got the juice flowing via a ballast resistor or sumptin. SAFU
SinisterCustom<SCRIPT type=text/javascript> vbmenu_register("postmenu_5087566", true); </SCRIPT> Old School HAMBer yes that is correct but i also have tried a newer one that i bought from the store new and same thing.. 440roadrunner<SCRIPT type=text/javascript> vbmenu_register("postmenu_5087599", true); </SCRIPT> Senior Member no sir i did not ..like i said earlier ..i actually ran a wire straight from the ignition switch...12v and a ground ..8volts ? hmm ya know i didnt think to try the voltage at the gauge ..ill try that also in the a.m no ballist resistor
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