[Healeys] Amp meter vs Volt Meter

[Michael Salter]

I have used one of these for a few years..*http://tinyurl.com/c9af364
*
Simple to install, really accurate
Buy 3 so you have plenty of spares..
Michael S*
*


On Thu, Feb 28, 2013 at 1:19 PM, Oudesluys <coudesluijs at chello.nl> wrote:

> You can easily recognise if the alternator is charging or not. When
> charging, a voltmeter should read around 14Volts with a maximum of I
> think 14,7V. If it is reading below 12,8Volts there is something amiss.
> Either the alternator is on the way out or to many users are switched on.
> Also a reading of over 14,8V indicates trouble. Over charging can be
> dangerous as the water in the electrolyte is disintegrating in Hydrogen
> and Oxygen, an extremely volatile mixture that you do not want near your
> battery/engine.
> A voltmeter only needs very simple light gauge wiring as barely any
> current will flow. It will fit to any fuse protected live wire e.g. from
> the ignition lock/coil/fuel pump etc. with the ignition switched on. An
> ammeter will require heavy gauge wiring as a high current will flow,
> depending on the charging system from 20 to 50A or more. It is usually
> not protected by a fuse. If it shorts out you do have a problem.
> So a Voltmeter is preferable as it is safer and gives more information.
>
> Kees Oudesluijs
> NL
>
>
> Op 28-2-2013 18:56, David Nock British Car Specialists schreef:
> > You have to look at the amp meter and the volt meter differently.
> >
> >  When the alternator or generator stop charging the ignition light
> > should come on to warn you that there is a problem. The problem with
> > the light is that you will not see it during the day.  So you need to
> > have either a volt gauge or an Amp meter to tell the state of the
> > charging system.
> >
> > The volt meter acts like a fuel gauge. It is telling you how much
> > electricity is in the battery. So when there is a problem with the
> > charging system the voltage starts to go down. The problem here is the
> > voltage from full charge to dead is not a very large span. So you will
> > not get a warning right away.
> >
> > Battery voltage is 12.77 volts = 100%
> > 12.61 volts =75%
> > 12.44 volts = 50%
> > 12.22 volts = 25%
> > 12.00 volts =Dead
> >
> > The advantage to a Amp meter is that is will tell you the output of
> > the charging system immedially. So if there is a fault in the charging
> > system you will know as soon as there is a problem.
> >
> > My personal preference is to install an amp meter this way if
> > something happens i will know right away rather than wait to notice a
> > 1 volt drop on a volt gauge to tell me there is a problem with the
> > charging system.
> >
> >
> >
> > David Nock
> >
> > British Car Specialists
> >
> > Stockton Ca 95205
> >
> > 209-948-8767
> >
> >
> > www.britishcarspecialists.com
> >
> >
> > Please feel free to view an interview with the Nock's in 2009
> >
> > Enjoy
> >
> > www.youtube.com/watch?v=QOTTRYkbQzs
> _______________________________________________
> Support Team.Net http://www.team.net/donate.html
> Suggested annual donation  $12.75
> Archive: http://www.team.net/archive
> Forums: http://www.team.net/forums
>
> Healeys at autox.team.net
> http://autox.team.net/mailman/listinfo/healeys
>
> Unsubscribe/Manage:
> http://autox.team.net/mailman/options/healeys/michaelsalter@gmail.com
>
>


-- 
Michael Salter