Re: Ammeters vs Voltmeters ???

Posted by jdemaris on December 12, 2004 at 06:37:47 from (209.23.31.174):

In Reply to: Ammeters vs Voltmeters ??? posted by Alberta Mike on December 12, 2004 at 06:19:50:

Generally speaking the voltmeter hookup is cheaper to do than a conventional ammeter/ampere gauge. A voltmeter does not carry current, it only reads voltage which is a combined result of charge current, system draw, and battery condition. Subsequently, it can be hooked up with a cheaper small gauge wiring. It does not provide as acurate, moment-to-moment charge reading as does an ammeter. On a 12 volt systems, cranking voltage is supposed to be around 9 volts. Normal battery voltage around 12.5, and voltage with a normal charge rate at around 14 volts. So, when the reading appears to be abnormal, you don't know for sure what is going on. Also, if the system stops charging, you may not notice right away as the voltage drops slowly.
Ammeter/ampere gauge in a conventional hookup must carry full current of the charging system. Thusly, its more expernsive and cumbersome to hook up because of the lengths of wire involved and the heavy gauge. Especially in an automobile where the gauge is on the dashboard and the engine up front. One way around this is the shunt-wired ammeter that only carries a fraction of the actual charge current, and in-turn, only provides a reading of a fraction of the actual rate. If done correctly the result is the same and it can be hooked up with small gauge wire. For example, such a gauge might carry 1/2 an amp instead of 30 amps, and subsequently, read 30 amps when 1/2 an amp is running through it. Chrysler used this setup in many cars.
Personally, I like having both. A voltmeter allows you to observe battery condition every time the ignition is turn on whereas an ammeter won't. But, once the engine is running, the ammeter allows you to observe exactly how the charge rate is occuring.

Follow Ups:

• Re: Ammeters vs Voltmeters ??? Leroy 07:06:38 12/12/04 (1)
  • Re: Ammeters vs Voltmeters ??? Loren 10:48:30 12/12/04 (0)

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