Went to harbor freight today to get a few things and they had some gauges for $16 that I had to have. Its the triple gauges with Ammeter,Oil pressure,and water temp.

I know how to install the water temp but the oil pressure and amp I do not.

Where is the oil pressure "port" at? Do you have to bleed the oil line for it to work right?

I really dont know how to hook up the ammeter. I have a 3G alternator if that helps with wiring in the ammeter.


Thanks

 

Your oil pressure is currently sensed from a bell shaped switch near the front driver side of the motor. It's near where your fuel pump would be if you had a mechanical pump. If you still want the factory gauge to work you will need to get a T fitting. The bell shaped switch may be on the end of an aluminum extension. Put the T fitting on the end of that and then put your old switch on one side and the oil pressure gauge hose on the other side. You dont have to bleed anything, but after you start the truck it may take a few moments for the gauge to work. Make sure you route the hose far away from heat sources. You might even go to an auto parts store and get a copper hose kit to replace the plastic one. The plastic one will last for quite a few years(unless it melts on a manifold) but will eventually become brittle. Keep an eye on those gauges too, I had a cheap oil gauge fill with oil and start leaking on my dash. I also had an ammeter gauge melt on me.

 

ok ill check it out when light outside. I got the gauges mounted and the water temp working. All 3 of the lights broke already.. So I got my old one out of my other temp gauge and it worked great. Going to hit up the parts store to get 2 more of them.

Any idea on the ammeter? Im thinking im going to need some wiring and was hoping someone knew what size and how much I would need for when I go to the store. Dont want to make 2 trips.

Ill get the copper oil pressure tube while there too. I don't trust that plastic one.

 

I'm no good with electricity. I wired up an ammeter gauge years ago, took me awhile to get the courage to try. It worked for 2 years before it melted. I rarely venture outside of installing lights or a stereo when it comes to wiring anything. It should have come with instructions, IIRC the most of the connections I had to make on mine were right next to the solenoid.

 

I suck at wiring and electricity too lol. The instructions that came with them suck. It says

"To install ammeter correctly, break existing connection and mount the ammeter in series. DO NOT connect between the heavy wires from the battery to starter. Proper connection will insure that all battery current drain that exceeds the alternator charging rate will be indicated as a - discharge on the gauge and any alternator charging current output that exceeds the total battery current drain will be shown as a + charge."

Ive been looking up more about ammeters and looks like I have a problem. I have quoted people from another site talking about installing a ammeter. I have the 3G alternator setup and have my 0 gauge charge wire going to the battery so I think that will be a problem.

Originally Posted by crillis
"To begin with alternator has been modified to a one wire system and there is no horn relay or external voltage regulator. I also have a HEI distributor."

"Where is the wire for the alternator connected to? If it is straight to the battery, the amp gauge will never work correctly, since there is no battery charge wire."

 

Now Im hearing stories about ammeters catching fire and burning up... Alot of people saying just use a voltmeter. :/

Right now im thinking ill take it back and get some gauges that has water temp, oil pressure and voltage.

 

Yep, toss it. The only way to have it work properly is to have ALL the electricals (apart from the starter) routed through it. A voltmeter will tell you if your system is charging or not.

 

An ammeter basically goes inline between the power source and power-consuming devices.
I grew up with ammeters and would rather have *them* instead of voltmeters but that's just
a personal preference.

Take a look at a diagram for 1G systems on fordfuelinjection.com I bookmarked some time
ago:

http://fordfuelinjection.com/public/...LT_wiring3.gif

-ct

 

Ammeter + Not fused = Fire

I would never install one in my truck. Voltage is the way to go.

 

I agree, I would not use the ammeter. If you have your "alt" dash light hooked up, I would just leave the ammeter in the panel and not hook it up.

What does the ammeter have for readings on it? 60-0-60? Your alternator is rated at 130 amps correct?

I have a diagram I can post if you really want to hook it up.

 

I had my dad take it back today. Going to auto parts store to get some different ones when I get time. Going to go with a voltmeter. Ammeter would be nice but im not taking the risk.

 

Most people do not install the required shunt to help keep the ammeter from blowing up, melting or catching fire.

Do a search for ammeter shunts on the web.

The Ford factory harness has the required shunt for the factory ammeter gauge, if equipped.

 

ok got some new gauges today. Got 2" white iEquus tripples. They even come with red,blue,or green lights! lol

Going to put them in now.

 

those are the gauges i run now there the best gauge i have ever bought

 

I love them so far