Volt Meter (Battery condition) connections

[Shawn]

G'day All,

I've acquired an aftermarket Smiths "Battery Condition" gauge. It has two connections at the rear, neither labelled, and the display is marked 'volts'. I want to use it to replace an ammeter I'd previously installed. I've never been comfortable with that much electricity up behind the dash...and if the gauge were to fail...

I'm guessing that one terminal is +ve and the other -ve (and if it reads backwards, swap them over.) It that correct? If so should the +ve be taken from anywhere in particular (eg solenoid) Car is negative earth.

Thanks,
s

[57traveller]

As far as I know Shawn you can connect to any ignition switched 12v feed, and then to earth.

[Cam]

Yes, you can either take the feed from the fusebox or from a 12v feed from behind the dash. Just earth the other terminal. If (when switching on) it tries to read backwards then swap the terminals around.

I know what you mean about the ammeters. I don't much like the idea either!

[newagetraveller]

When fitting a voltmeter it is important to remember that it requires a (admittedly tiny) current to drive it. To avoid any drain on your battery make sure that it only works when the ignition is switched on.