Amp meter

[alanlad]

Going to fit a Volt meter into my 1969 Traverller is there any reason that I should fit a Amp as well?
If you think yes where does the +VE wire go?

Alan

[bmcecosse]

I prefer the ammeter - but in fact with an alternator the voltmeter is probably the better bet. An ammeter must be connected with THICK cables between the starter solenoid and the brown wire that was connected to the solenoid. The cables can't be fused - and must be well insulated and brought inside the car to the meter. If it shows a charge when you switch on the headlights - just swap the cables on the meter. Take special care to protect the cables where they pass through the bulkhead into the car. A short here may cause a fire and/or an exploding battery.....

[alanlad]

Hi
Thank you for your views and it sounds a job I can do. Thanks to you and the other members my morris passed the mot today
and is back on the road. So now to finnish the job,the volt meter will show the condition of the battery and alternator output but what is the Amp meter showing me?
Thank you
Alan

[bmcecosse]

It would show you the current flow in/out of the battery. The voltmeter is the safer option for you - since electrics don't quite seem to agree with you! Be sure to connect the voltmeter to an ignition switched/fused supply - ie a green wire! Well done on the MOT.

[alanlad]

Hi
You're correct with the alternator the volt meter is all I need. Will have to find something new to work on, so it's a green wire for the volt meter.

alan

[rayofleamington]

My 54 has a volt meter - it has been connected from the switched live at the fuse box so it shows 14.5 volts with engine running and everything else off. When things switch on the reading drops which shows that there's some resistance in the loom between the starter switch (where the alternator goes to) and the fuse box.
When the indicators switch on/off the reading jumps about a bit. The RH indicator makes it jump twice as much telling me that they are pulling much more current than the LH ones!

The volt meter will let you know if you're charging or discharging the battery and in my case also gives some hint to the amount of current. With that in mind, an ammeter is not going to tell me anything extra!

[alanlad]

Hi
Going to have just the volt meter,as with a alternator as long as it's charging the battery I should be fine.
Alan