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 Post subject: ammeter question
PostPosted: Mon Jan 15, 2007 7:28 am 
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So in my v8 truck i am trying to install an ammeter. Since I didnt actually wire the motor up, I have no idea what all the wires are doing. I tried all the different ways to wire it in that the instructions said to but no response. So yesterday I just took the positive off the battery and vise gripped one of the ammeter wires onto that and the other onto the battery post. It worked, but the needle just kinda shook around. Any thoughts?

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 Post subject: ammeter
PostPosted: Mon Jan 15, 2007 1:48 pm 
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da LUV masta

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Location: NE Washington, USA
The ammeter must be connected in series in the wire that charges the battery. Find the hot wire on the alternator that connects to the battery positive cable. It's about a 12 quage wire. Disconnect it and add a length of similar wire to it to run up to the dash where you're gonna mount the ammeter. Now run a similar size wire from the ammeter site back to the alternator and connect it to the post where the original wire was disconnected. Connect the two ends at the dash to the ammeter. All you've done made an electrical detour so all the charging current passes through the ammeter. If the ammeter read backwards, just swap the two wires on the back of it. Done this many times myself.


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PostPosted: Mon Jan 15, 2007 4:14 pm 
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Yep that be it. personally I like volt meters better.

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 Post subject: Voltmeters
PostPosted: Mon Jan 15, 2007 4:23 pm 
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da LUV masta

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Voltmeters don't need the heavier guage wiring like an ammeter, but they won't show a slight discharge like in heavy traffic at night when your lights on and maybe the heater. You find out the next morning when your truck just groans instead of turning over. If you understand how the ammeter works in the system, you can get more indicators of how your charging system is working.


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PostPosted: Mon Jan 15, 2007 5:53 pm 
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I isolated the battery from the rest of the system. This way, the ammeter will read if the battery is taking a charge or discharging. Mine will read a slightly high charge reading for a few minutes but it settles down to just a slight positive reading.

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PostPosted: Mon Jan 15, 2007 6:40 pm 
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How did you wire it that way. Might try it too.

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PostPosted: Mon Jan 15, 2007 8:15 pm 
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I'm assuming you have a modern type of ammeter, one that does not require a shunt. This type is really old school so i doubt that it is.
By wiring it up like this, the meter will show if the battery is getting a charge or a drain. C and D on the meter.

I left the positive and negative battery cables out of the drawing.

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Previous setup: 4.1 Buick V-6/TH 350
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9" ford rear end/short bed/blue
What do Water, Electricity and Humans have in common... They all travel the path of least resistance.


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PostPosted: Tue Jan 16, 2007 7:09 am 
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Cool , thanks a lot

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