Voltage Meters

[Bishop13]

The aftermarket voltage meters read the total voltage from the battery right? Can it be modified to give the alternator output as well?

[Nick]

for that you'd need an ammeter, but since ammeters must be in in serie, its very impractical to have one that big in a car, however you can get some that are like a clamp that goes around the wire (senses the magnetic field) but they're more expensive

and the voltage meter reads off the battery, should jump up to around 14 when the car's running

ammeters would be a good idea for people drawing lots of power

[rezzle]

Originally posted by Oldman
for that you'd need an ammeter, but since ammeters must be in in serie, its very impractical to have one that big in a car, however you can get some that are like a clamp that goes around the wire (senses the magnetic field) but they're more expensive

and the voltage meter reads off the battery, should jump up to around 14 when the car's running

ammeters would be a good idea for people drawing lots of power

In addition most voltmeters have ammeters built in however current is limited in the cheaper models to about 10A or so and hall effect clamps that measure DC volts are quite pricey. To measure actual amps you are better off to go to an automotive parts store and buy one but unless you are actually trouble shooting your alternator I don't think it is needed.

[Flashmn]

and the voltage meter reads off the battery, should jump up to around 14 when the car's running

Yeah, because when the car is running it is getting power from the alternator, so the meter is reading the amount of power the alternator is producing.

[Nick]

no, that's the actual voltage of the battery when its fully charged, i forget the exact specifics, but i think its 8 1.8v cells giving 14.4V

[VVT-i Owns]

8 cells = 16 plates...........so many?

[Nick]

they're bridged in the battery, to the 2 terminals...

[DJ_WhItEnEsS]

hmm voltmeters are connected parallel making them super easy to use.. ammeters are connected in series which i have no idea how you would hook them up to an alternator... i just learned all this crap in my electronics engineering.... just trying to apply it now..