I find that the ammeter is more useful than the voltmeter, but both serve their
own function. I wired my voltmeter to the ignition circuit on the key (it goes
in parallel, so you can ground it anywhere, and tap the ignition pole on the key
switch - my ignition pole got pretty overloaded with this and a radio, but
splitters and more wire, etc. it can work). The ammeter is much more difficult,
because all of the current going around the car has to go in series through it.
I wired mine on the output side of the voltage regulator - which on my car is
separate (I have a generator). One needs big wires, and a lot of it to go out
of there and back into the harness.
J R Overcash wrote:
> I agree, now has anyone added these little gems and how does one do it? I
> tried to add a volt meter once and all it di was short out the starter
> circuit. Followed the directions that came with the gauge too.
>
> Safety Fast!
>
> Ross Overcash
> Ayer, MA USA
> NAMGBR 2-1172
> 74B decripit but running!
> http://home.earthlink.net/~jroverca/
>
> > -----Original Message-----
> > From: owner-mgs@autox.team.net [mailto:owner-mgs@autox.team.net]On
> > Behalf Of Phil Bates
> > Sent: Sunday, October 22, 2000 5:21 PM
> > To: Gonaj@aol.com
> > Cc: mgs@autox.team.net
> > Subject: Re: adding an ammeter to a RBB
> >
> >
> > One should listen - no doubt about it - and this can help
> > diagnose a lot of
> > things. Electrical systems, however, aren't always prone to make
> > noises when
> > they fail.. The gauges as a diagnostic aid is helpful.
> >
> > I installed an ammeter and a voltmeter in my '67 MGB about 6
> > years ago (where the
> > speaker used to be). One time, after having someone replace my
> > generator due to
> > bad bearings, I was driving from Indianapolis to Lancaster, PA,
> > and in Columbus,
> > OH, I noticed the ammeter pegged at discharge, and the voltmeter
> > dropping. I
> > stopped to buy a new generator, but no luck. So I went on further (it was
> > daytime, and I figured I could drive for a while as long as I
> > don't use the
> > lights) and noticed the ammeter pegged at full charge, and the
> > voltmeter at 15+
> > volts - so I turned on everything I could find, and kept it down
> > to 14.5volts for
> > a while - long and short, there was a regulator problem. Then it
> > went the other
> > way again - to discharge. I was lucky enough to get home with
> > the battery not
> > being charged for 2 or 3 hours, but had I not caught the
> > overcharging, I would
> > have probably blown up a battery. Gauges in our old cars can be
> > useful, and the
> > idiot light would not show the overcharge situation. Neither
> > would listening to
> > the car's running noises, but a battery explosion right behind
> > the passenger seat
> > sure would be notable I think. I'm glad I didn't have to
> > experience such a
> > thing, and consider that the voltmeter and ammeter have been good
> > for my car, and
> > good for my physical well being too.
> >
> > Phil Bates
> >
> > Gonaj@aol.com wrote:
> >
> > > Hello All;
> > > I have to differ as to the ability of these diagnostic aids to
> > forwarn of
> > > problems. The thing is you have to pay as much attention to
> > their dials as
> > > you do to small noises. Just a small change from the norm is
> > indication of
> > > something that should be checked into. If you wait for a big change you
> > > might as well wait for the deafening silence when you turn the key.
> > > By way of example, while driving my SUV recently i noticed a
> > small change in
> > > the voltage on the factory installed voltmeter. It was
> > approaching the end
> > > of it's 100,000 mi warranty so I immediately went to Mr.
> > Goodwrench, AKA Mr.
> > > Hasen't Got a Clue. There I was told that there was nothing
> > wrong. Three
> > > days later and past my waranty the light on the panel came on
> > telling me that
> > > the alt. had gone bye-bye along with $135.00 that I would have
> > rathered spent
> > > on my B.
> > > By the way, the warning that the B's water pumt was going out
> > was too late
> > > for me to have one on the way before I had to quit driving it. What a
> > > bummer, a perfect Fall weekend and the Bs in the garage.
> > >
> > > George
> >
> >
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