voltmeter vs. amp meter

bass · Jan 30, 2015

i have my sc converted to 12v using bob m's wiring diagram. can i replace the amp guage with a voltmeter and if so how do i wire it in?

bass
53superC

mkirsch · Jan 30, 2015

If you're replacing the ammeter with a voltmeter in place:

1. Take all the connections from both posts of the ammeter, and put them on the + post of the voltmeter.

2. Connect the - of the voltmeter to ground.

You don't have to do it this way, but putting all the connections on the + post of the voltmeter is a convenient way to do it without having to splice wires or rewire the tractor.

Bob M · Jan 30, 2015

mkirsch's method will work. But it has the voltmeter energized continuously. Not a problem if you run the tractor every few days. However depending on the resistance of the voltmeter, it will drain the battery if left unstarted for a couple weeks/months.

Preferred is to wire the voltmeter so it's energized only when the ign switch is "on":

1 - Remove the wires from both ammeter posts and connect all them together. Thoroughly tape/insulate the connection!

2 - Connect the + voltmeter terminal to the switched (coil) side of the ignition switch.
Connect the - terminal to a GOOD ground.

jsfarmall · Jan 30, 2015

I just got an amp meter tonight from
orsheln. It has a positive and negative
side. Will this method going through the
switch work also? It is NOT a volt meter
it is an amp meter. Or I guess its
correctly called ammeter.

mkirsch · Jan 31, 2015

Oh crap. Sorry about that. For some reason I thought the ammeter was energized through the ignition switch.

Go with Bob M's suggestion. Ignore what I said about the voltmeter wiring.

The Ammeter is likely marked for positive ground systems. It doesn't really have a + or a -.

Hook it up the same as the old ammeter you take out. If you know the charging system works, and the ammeter shows discharge, swap the wires from one post to the other.

For an ammeter to work, the electricity has to flow THROUGH it.

voltmeter vs. amp meter

bass

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mkirsch

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Bob M

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jsfarmall

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mkirsch

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