volt or amp guage hookup
MSEE
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 10,386
Likes: 35
From: Austin, TX
Which gauge is it? A volt gauge (voltmeter) is very different than an amp gauge (ammeter), and as such, the connection scheme is entirely different between the two. Does the gauge you want to hook up say "volts" or "amps?"
Are you asking how to hook up both at the same time?
Are you asking how to hook up both at the same time?
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 1,668
Likes: 13
From: Saskatchewan
Usually a volt gauge is fairly simple to hook up. Just need a keyed power source and a ground. But amp gauges will need to be hooked up in series (all the power from your alternator going through it). So depending what you got there can be quit a difference. Good luck.
Freshman User
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 43
Likes: 1
volt amp gauges
VOLT METER
There should be a red wire. That goes under the dash to the fuse block or ignition switch. Use your test light and find a fuse that's on off with key.
There should be a black wire, put that to ground on the dash somewhere. Usually there is a third wire, it may be white or purple. This one goes somewhere that is on/off with the parking or head lights (prob on the light switch).
AMP METER
There should be 2 big terminals on the back of the meter. Series means the gauge must "interrupt" the wire coming from the alternator. In other words, take the main (thick) wire off the alternator and run it to one side of the gauge. Then run another wire from the other side of the gauge, back to the alternator where you took the first one off. (whew!) If the gauge reads backwards, switch the wires on the back of the ammeter. Hook up the night light just like the voltmeter.
Personally, I dis recommend the use of an ammeter in 12v systems. Unless V/A are mounted together. All an ammeter does is tell you if your alternator is charging. It doesn't tell you battery condition. (If it's going to start when you shut it off) A voltmeter tells you if your alternator is working AND what state the battery is in.
There should be a red wire. That goes under the dash to the fuse block or ignition switch. Use your test light and find a fuse that's on off with key.
There should be a black wire, put that to ground on the dash somewhere. Usually there is a third wire, it may be white or purple. This one goes somewhere that is on/off with the parking or head lights (prob on the light switch).
AMP METER
There should be 2 big terminals on the back of the meter. Series means the gauge must "interrupt" the wire coming from the alternator. In other words, take the main (thick) wire off the alternator and run it to one side of the gauge. Then run another wire from the other side of the gauge, back to the alternator where you took the first one off. (whew!) If the gauge reads backwards, switch the wires on the back of the ammeter. Hook up the night light just like the voltmeter.
Personally, I dis recommend the use of an ammeter in 12v systems. Unless V/A are mounted together. All an ammeter does is tell you if your alternator is charging. It doesn't tell you battery condition. (If it's going to start when you shut it off) A voltmeter tells you if your alternator is working AND what state the battery is in.
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Mountain Pass
Joined: Oct 2006
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From: GRINNELL
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 966
Likes: 27
From: Missouri
VOLT METER
There should be a red wire. That goes under the dash to the fuse block or ignition switch. Use your test light and find a fuse that's on off with key.
There should be a black wire, put that to ground on the dash somewhere. Usually there is a third wire, it may be white or purple. This one goes somewhere that is on/off with the parking or head lights (prob on the light switch).
AMP METER
There should be 2 big terminals on the back of the meter. Series means the gauge must "interrupt" the wire coming from the alternator. In other words, take the main (thick) wire off the alternator and run it to one side of the gauge. Then run another wire from the other side of the gauge, back to the alternator where you took the first one off. (whew!) If the gauge reads backwards, switch the wires on the back of the ammeter. Hook up the night light just like the voltmeter.
Personally, I dis recommend the use of an ammeter in 12v systems. Unless V/A are mounted together. All an ammeter does is tell you if your alternator is charging. It doesn't tell you battery condition. (If it's going to start when you shut it off) A voltmeter tells you if your alternator is working AND what state the battery is in.
There should be a red wire. That goes under the dash to the fuse block or ignition switch. Use your test light and find a fuse that's on off with key.
There should be a black wire, put that to ground on the dash somewhere. Usually there is a third wire, it may be white or purple. This one goes somewhere that is on/off with the parking or head lights (prob on the light switch).
AMP METER
There should be 2 big terminals on the back of the meter. Series means the gauge must "interrupt" the wire coming from the alternator. In other words, take the main (thick) wire off the alternator and run it to one side of the gauge. Then run another wire from the other side of the gauge, back to the alternator where you took the first one off. (whew!) If the gauge reads backwards, switch the wires on the back of the ammeter. Hook up the night light just like the voltmeter.
Personally, I dis recommend the use of an ammeter in 12v systems. Unless V/A are mounted together. All an ammeter does is tell you if your alternator is charging. It doesn't tell you battery condition. (If it's going to start when you shut it off) A voltmeter tells you if your alternator is working AND what state the battery is in.
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