quick voltmeter question

[Car RamRod]

quick question for you guys:

I got an analog voltmeter for my truck, is there anywhere specific I need to pick up the hot end from? The radio is right there so maybe the accesory would be a good one?

 

Let me know.

Thanks

[SomeNew Name]

well I you could just do what I did.. and just hook it up in parrell with the battery, cause that's what you're wanting to read.. as for picking it up off of something else.. you would want to make sure that you are putting it in parrel with something that is using source voltage.. I'm sure someone here would be able to tell you what you could tap off of.. just do your self a favour don't put into series.. cause you would just be adding a huge resistance to the circuit.. cause the resistance of a voltmeter is crazy high something like 50mega ohms and voltage likes the path of least resistance.. soo putting it in parrell give the mutha a choice of where to go... I'm sure the radio runs off of source voltage.. so you could tap off of that, but once again remember PARRELL

 

p.s. One day I hope I learn how to spell parrell!! I'll check the wiring diagrahms when I get home from the hanger... <3

[87manche]

if going through all the trouble of mounting a guage for the electrical system I would probably go with an ammeter, it's usually a better indication of how your electrical/charging system is functioning.

[Eagle]

if going through all the trouble of mounting a guage for the electrical system I would probably go with an ammeter, it's usually a better indication of how your electrical/charging system is functioning.

Automotive engineers apparently disagree, since back in the 60s and 70s cars came with ammeters, then they switched to voltmeters because they thought they were more informative.

 

If I had my druthers, I'd ask for both.

[Car RamRod]

so when you say mount it in paralell, you mean that I need to come in hot on the one pole, ground it with the other, and go back to the souce with the third pole?

[Oizarod115]

parallel. :chillin:

[87manche]

if going through all the trouble of mounting a guage for the electrical system I would probably go with an ammeter, it's usually a better indication of how your electrical/charging system is functioning.

Automotive engineers apparently disagree, since back in the 60s and 70s cars came with ammeters, then they switched to voltmeters because they thought they were more informative.

 

If I had my druthers, I'd ask for both.

true, but I've had batteries that would appear to be charged, but suck the life out of the alternator because of a bad cell.

[Eagle]

so when you say mount it in paralell, you mean that I need to come in hot on the one pole, ground it with the other, and go back to the souce with the third pole?

:???: :???:

 

Third pole? Voltmeters only have two poles, one positive and one negative.

[87manche]

guessing that you've got + - and a light?

[Car RamRod]

its got three, and then a light. I um, found it at work, its out of a peterbilt. I'll check a shop manual today and see how they wire it.

[Eagle]

Don't tap the power to the voltmeter off a skinny accessory wire under the dash, like the radio circuit. You won't be getting an accurate reading because of voltage drop. The best source would be where the battery positive cable attaches to the main power center under the hood, and you want to run the biggest wire you can. I would run 14-gauge as a minimum. Try to run your ground wire as close to the battery as you can, too, so you have a good connection. Funky gauge readings with the stock gauge cluster are often caused by a bad ground from the cluster to the chassis.

[Car RamRod]

alright eagle that doesnt sound too hard, Ill do that.

thanks.