aftermarket voltmeter wiring

[William G.]

Well, I guess age is making me more confused than I need to be. I need help with wiring in an aftermarket voltmeter. The ammeter circuit in my 67 stopped working several years ago. This past year I replaced the gauge with a new one and installed new fusible links. It still does not work!

So that I can feel confident that my charging system is working, I bought an aftermarket voltmeter. The ground wire is a no brainer! However, I am looking for a place to hookup the positive lead. I know it needs to be to a switched lead. Can it be connected to the 12 volt side of the ballast resistor? Is there a lead off the alternator where I can connect it.

I do not intend to keep this gauge in the car for too long, so I don't want to install it where it will take me as long t uninstall it as it is taking to put it in.

Thanks
Bill

[Stephen L.]

Re: aftermarket voltmeter wiring

The pink wires are "switched" so anywhere you can find a pink connection would work.
If you are just doing this temporarily all you need to do is clip lead the voltmeter across the battery.
Observe the reading (approximately 12.5 v)
Start the engine. run to about 1500 rpm. If the charging system is working you should observe about 13.5 volts or more.......

[Mark E.]

Re: aftermarket voltmeter wiring

The fuse block typically has an unused, switched 12v lead you can tap into.

[Jim L.]

Re: aftermarket voltmeter wiring

Since you aren't looking to make a permanent installation, the most simple way to temporarily monitor your charging system is with a Voltmeter which plugs into the cigarette lighter socket. Typically less than $10 and no wiring changes needed.

voltmeter.JPG

[Mark F.]

Re: aftermarket voltmeter wiring

Since you aren't looking to make a permanent installation, the most simple way to temporarily monitor your charging system is with a Voltmeter which plugs into the cigarette lighter socket. Typically less than $10 and no wiring changes needed.

Cool !
and it's a digital readout !

[Gary B.]

Re: aftermarket voltmeter wiring

Since you aren't looking to make a permanent installation, the most simple way to temporarily monitor your charging system is with a Voltmeter which plugs into the cigarette lighter socket. Typically less than $10 and no wiring changes needed.

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Jim,

For someone who electrically challenged, like me, am I correct that if you plug that device into the cigarette lighter, and the car and all other car accessories are off, then the readout will tell you the charge of the battery?

Gary

[Jim L.]

Re: aftermarket voltmeter wiring

Jim,

For someone who electrically challenged, like me, am I correct that if you plug that device into the cigarette lighter, and the car and all other car accessories are off, then the readout will tell you the charge of the battery?

Gary

Hi Gary,
Yep. It's that simple. Plug it in and it will show you the battery Voltage.... likely something in the 12.5 - 12.8 Volt range with the engine off. Leave it plugged in and start the engine. The reading will change to ~14 Volts if your car has an alternator. If your car has a generator, you will need to rev the engine slightly to get the generator going however the reading should still increase to about 14 Volts.
Jim

[Gary B.]

Re: aftermarket voltmeter wiring

Very cool indeed! Thanks.

Gary