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Volt Gauge wiring
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Elder User
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 519
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From: Bountiful UT
Volt Gauge wiring
This is probably a stupid question but oh well I'll ask anyway
.
I want to re do my gauge wiring, How much power does the volt gauge pull? I want to hook it to the power side of the solenoid but I don't want to drain my battery.
.I want to re do my gauge wiring, How much power does the volt gauge pull? I want to hook it to the power side of the solenoid but I don't want to drain my battery.
Hotshot
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 14,333
Likes: 247
From: Stanley, VA
Are you talking about the stock alternator gauge?
If you are, its not a voltmeter, its an ammeter. It is a shunt style gauge and MUST be fed from the alternator wiring harness. If you try to pass the full output of the alternator through the gauge you will at minimum fry the gauge and the fusible links and more likely the wiring harness. At worst you'll torch your truck.
These gauges were notorious for NOT working, even when the trucks were new.
If you are, its not a voltmeter, its an ammeter. It is a shunt style gauge and MUST be fed from the alternator wiring harness. If you try to pass the full output of the alternator through the gauge you will at minimum fry the gauge and the fusible links and more likely the wiring harness. At worst you'll torch your truck.
These gauges were notorious for NOT working, even when the trucks were new.
Hotshot
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 14,333
Likes: 247
From: Stanley, VA
I really wouldn't wire it direct. I don't know how much power the gauge will draw, but eventually you'll let it sit longer than planned and boom, dead battery.
It shouldn't be difficult to find a keyed 12v source. Radio or other accessory feed would be a good place to tap into for the gauge feed.
It shouldn't be difficult to find a keyed 12v source. Radio or other accessory feed would be a good place to tap into for the gauge feed.
Senior User
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 174
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From: Goldsboro Nc
i wired mine into the voltage regulator mounted on the firewall i do believe its the l wire. it only works when the alternator is putting out power
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Elder User
Joined: Sep 2006
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From: Bountiful UT
I don't have any regulator or anything on the firewall, I pulled all that off and went to a 3g setup.
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MSEE
Joined: Apr 2004
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From: Austin, TX
Voltmeters are high impedance; they draw very little current. They're designed this way so that the presence of the meter does not affect the rest of the system. However, I do not recommend tying it on the battery side of the solenoid, because the meter does draw current and will drain the battery eventually. Tie it to a switched 12 volt source; the stock radio power wire is perfect. Just make sure not to tie it to a circuit that draws heavy current, because the drop along the wiring will cause the gauge to read low. If you don't have any heavy loads tied to the radio power wire (like a cigarette lighter, etc), then the way you've got it now is perfect.
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