Re: Wiring a volt/amp meter
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Posted by Gerald on October 12, 1998 at 12:39:04:
In Reply to: Wiring a volt/amp meter posted by Dave Bascom on October 12, 1998 at 11:22:17:
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: I have a JD 2010 that has been modified to a negative ground system. The generator has been replaced with an alternator. I would like to wire up a volt/amp meter to monitor the charging system. Does anyone know how I might do this? Any other ideas to keep an eye on the charging system? Thnx On the battery terminal of the starter solenoid there should be at least one smaller wire going to the harness and ignition switch. Unhook those wires, put them to the + terminal on the ammeter. Connect a NEW wire from the - terminal on the ammeter back to that post on the solenoid. You now have an ammeter wired. The meter connections are for negative ground. Reverse for positive ground. I've never found a voltmeter hooked into the harness to be useful. There's too much drop to show precise battery voltage. The only voltage that matters IS the battery voltage. I prefer an ammeter and I've had systems with both. When the voltage rises at the battery and the battery still takes current then you know the batter is sulfated, otherwise the voltage indication tends towards useless. Yes it may rise when charging, but won't show the charging is significant (and that failure cost me a car when it got hit while I was jumping another car with a slipping belt that would turn out the idiot light but not CHARGE the battery.) The ammeter gives useful indications of battery charge and discharge. When it shows charge over a much longer time than it should then the battery is sulfated.
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