AMP Meter....

[drakeguy22]

Can Someone please tell me how to hook up an amp meter on a 99 expo... please make me feel like a moron lol. positive to the battery..,and negative to the alt right? my alt has the one thick wire, and the plug to 2 smaller wires. then obviously theres the wires to hook up for the light... those are self explanitory. any help would be great

 

[SoNic67]

if you want to measure the alternator CHARGING curent, you need to:
1. make sure you have a DC ampermeter
2. make sure it does NOT require an external shunt resistor (or if it does you have one). If it does not require an external shunt, it needs to have TWO thick connections/terminals.
3. connect the positive amp to ALTERNATOR and the negative to BATTERY - the flow is from alternator (generates electricity) to battery.

 

[budwich]

I don't think that is quite correct. You need to disconnect the wiring (large wire) at the alternator and make the "new connection" with the "two thick wires" of the amp meter... (ie. from the alternator to the removed wire).

 

[koda2000]

if you want to know how your charging systen is working i suggest you go with a volt meter. manufacturers stopped using amp meters many years ago and replaced them with volt meters because amp meters can cause fires. volt meters are inexpensive and also easy to hook up. positive side to a key-on source and the negative to ground. you can even get one that plugs into your lighter/aux socket for a quick check though i'd go with an actual gauge.

 

[drakeguy22]

Thanks for the replies guys.. The only reason im hooking this up is because i had it laying around my garage.... so lemme get this straight.... positive to the big wire on alt. and negative to the neg battery ??? im just hooking it up because im running a big amp and some off road lights... which all take a draw on the charging system and the battery. just some peace of mind ya know

Also the Gauge has 2 threaded posts... on says +BAT, and the other says -ALT, then a wire to hook up the lights

 

[snoranger]

No, an amp meter goes inline between the alt and the battery.

You have to cut the main wire from the alt and attach each term to each side of the wire you just cut. To mount it in the cab, you have to extend that wire into and back out of the cab. I would say its not worth it, but its your choice.