Ammeter

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Mar 13, 2005 | 08:39 AM

blockheadbob

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Junior User

Joined: May 2004

Posts: 66

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From: Idaho Panhandle

Ammeter

I'm putting a ammeter in my 78 and I need some help with wiring it in it.

Got the meter in trade.
Thanks,
Bob

Mar 13, 2005 | 10:12 AM

LxMan1

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Joined: Dec 2001

Posts: 22,436

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From: Louisville,Ky.

I usually use a good sized wire to connect the ampmeter.
To hook it up, Remove all of the fusable links fron the battery side of the starter solenoid. Then using a bolt and nut, put all of the fusable links and one wire from the gauge on the bolt and tighten the nut. Then put the other wire from the gauge on the solenoid post along with the battery cable.
To test, turn on the lights with the engine off. The gauge should go to the - side. If not, reverse the wires on the back of the gauge. Make sure to tape up the bolted wires real good so that they don't ground to anything.
For added insurance, You can install a 60amp inline fuse in the gauge wire near the starter solenoid. This way if a short were to occur, the fuse would blow instead of melting the wiring.

Mar 13, 2005 | 10:18 AM

460f250

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Joined: Jul 2002

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From: BC, Canada

Good, straightforward explanation. I've wondered myself, thanks.

Mar 13, 2005 | 03:08 PM

76supercab2

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Joined: Feb 2003

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LXMan's advice looks sound. However my advice would be to file the amp meter in a large circular file and install a volt meter. A volt meter would be safer and give you a better idea of what's happening with the charging system.

Mar 13, 2005 | 09:05 PM

thelonerangerxlt

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Joined: Aug 2000

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I too would choose the voltmeter over the ammeter. It's just too dangerous even with a fuse installed. Too much voltage going through the one ammeter wire, in my opinion. A switched voltmeter is much safer.