thelynxeffect
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| posted on 17/8/18 at 05:40 PM |
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Volts or Amps
Hi guys, this is my first post so I should apologise for it being a question, I need to monitor the state of my battery and the charge it is
receiving, should I be considering a volt meter (voltage would increase when engine is running) or an Amp meter so I can see the charge current?
Either way it needs to be a chromed smiths gauge to match the dash.
It's 1300 crossflow, I'm trying to figure out how to upload pictures
Cheers
[Edited on 17/8/18 by thelynxeffect]
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rusty nuts
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| posted on 17/8/18 at 06:21 PM |
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Welcome. As regards ammeter vs voltmeter an amp meter will show the rate of charge or discharge but will not show if the battery voltage is low
whereas a voltmeter will show charging voltage when running and static battery voltage when not running. At least that's the way I see it
.Personally I would go for a voltmeter.
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gremlin1234
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| posted on 17/8/18 at 06:39 PM |
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as above,
ammeter will show if its charging,
it will not show the current taken when starting - this is because it would be way off the scale. (has to be wired in the battery feed, but after the
starter takeoff )
for an overall battery charge level indicator, volts is best.
but make sure its on the ignition live side of the circuits. (directly across the battery will give a small continuous load)
oh, and WELCOME
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thelynxeffect
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| posted on 17/8/18 at 06:51 PM |
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Thanks guys, that’s just the sort of answers I was looking for!
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907
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| posted on 17/8/18 at 07:02 PM |
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Were not amp meters predominately fitted to dynamos and voltmeters fitted to alternators ?
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thelynxeffect
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| posted on 17/8/18 at 07:49 PM |
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Does the voltmeter feed need to be fused?
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gremlin1234
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| posted on 17/8/18 at 08:22 PM |
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quote:
Originally posted by thelynxeffect
Does the voltmeter feed need to be fused?
it should be. of course it will work without, but fuses are there for protection. it doesn't
matter if the volt meter stops, (and indirectly indicates a fault), much preferred to melting the wiring loom...
edit:
in british standard / lucas colours, this would be any green wire.
https://www.mgexp.com/article/lucas-colours.html
[Edited on 17/8/18 by gremlin1234]
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Mr Whippy
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| posted on 17/8/18 at 08:23 PM |
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No need for a fuse. No reason you can't fit both, voltmeter will tell you how charged or discharged your battery is, ammeter will tell you how
much current is charging it. Both are useful.
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ReMan
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| posted on 17/8/18 at 08:33 PM |
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quote:
Originally posted by Mr Whippy
No need for a fuse. No reason you can't fit both, voltmeter will tell you how charged or discharged your battery is, ammeter will tell you how
much current is charging it. Both are useful.
Aggreeed. Except for the fuse bit. they should be protected somewhere
\
www.plusnine.co.uk
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Angel Acevedo
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| posted on 17/8/18 at 08:33 PM |
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Welcome to the site...
Should you need more reasons to install voltmeter, Amp meters usually require larger gage cable as more current is involved whereas Voltmeters
require smaller gage cable.
Also agree to install fuse in circuit.
HTH
Beware of what you wish.. for it may come true....
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ReMan
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| posted on 17/8/18 at 09:19 PM |
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Welcome.
Just BTTT, Why MUST you monitor them? Do you suspect a problem?
www.plusnine.co.uk
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thelynxeffect
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| posted on 17/8/18 at 09:32 PM |
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Valid question, I have space for a 2” gauge and voltmeter seemed a logical option, either that or I squeeze in a rev counter
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gremlin1234
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| posted on 17/8/18 at 09:36 PM |
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quote:
Originally posted by thelynxeffect
Valid question, I have space for a 2” gauge and voltmeter seemed a logical option, either that or I squeeze in a rev counter
clock, (you know
that thing that tells the time!)
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Mash
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| posted on 17/8/18 at 09:58 PM |
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.....and nice motor too Matey
Welcome
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adithorp
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| posted on 18/8/18 at 08:22 AM |
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quote:
Originally posted by thelynxeffect
Valid question, I have space for a 2” gauge and voltmeter seemed a logical option, either that or I squeeze in a rev counter
Well I'd go for a rev counter if you don't have one. Far more use than volts or amps but if it has to be one of those, I'd go
volts.
ps. welcome to LCB. Nice looking motor. Clamshell wings are a rarity these days.
[Edited on 18/8/18 by adithorp]
"A witty saying proves nothing" Voltaire
http://jpsc.org.uk/forum/
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snapper
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| posted on 19/8/18 at 05:42 AM |
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I wouldn’t want 40+ Amps under the dash unless the wiring was fully sealed and properly insulated and clipped, even then....
I eat to survive
I drink to forget
I breath to pi55 my ex wife off (and now my ex partner)
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thelynxeffect
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| posted on 19/8/18 at 06:13 AM |
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Thanks again, I'm not exactly short on space so I think I'll fit a voltmeter and probably a Rev counter also, just a case of waiting for
the right ones on the bay now.
Thanks for all you advise, I'll post the results once fitted.
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Mr Whippy
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| posted on 20/8/18 at 06:06 AM |
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A pair of rubber mats wouldn't go a miss, soft alloy floors wear quite quickly and are as slippy as hell if damp, wet or covered in sand
Nice car though
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David Jenkins
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| posted on 20/8/18 at 08:44 AM |
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quote:
Originally posted by snapper
I wouldn’t want 40+ Amps under the dash unless the wiring was fully sealed and properly insulated and clipped, even then....
I have had something niggling at the back of my mind - I'm sure ammeters were always regarded as a fire risk as the entire current drawn from
the battery (apart from starting) has to go through the meter. There's a very low value resistor (fractions of an ohm) inside that has to go in
the supply line so that a voltmeter across it can display the amps - I know that sounds daft, but a high-current ammeter measures the voltage across a
resistor to show the current going through that meter (Ohm's law, and all that). If you put high current through a resistor you get heat...
I am quite sure that the modern recommendation is to fit a voltmeter.
[Edited on 20/8/18 by David Jenkins]
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thelynxeffect
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| posted on 20/8/18 at 05:22 PM |
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quote:
Originally posted by Mr Whippy
A pair of rubber mats wouldn't go a miss, soft alloy floors wear quite quickly and are as slippy as hell if damp, wet or covered in sand
Nice car though
Floor is steel plate, fully welded but yes, carpet is required!
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