Voltmeter wiring

Brenda · Nov 21st, 2010, 04:46

So, Ive done it. Ive finally bought a used voltmeter from TIM through Ebay, but as it is used there isnt a wiring diagram.

Do I have to wire this back to the battery or is there a connection point nearby that I can use?

Its for my 1998 Celebration Estate, if this helps with wiring colours etc...

Brenda

Clan · Nov 21st, 2010, 08:54

make sure it goes to a good earth on the body then the live feed take from a suitable fuse in the central fuse box , try a few different ignition live fuses as you wont always get a true reading there due to volt drop .
Idealy i would connect it direct to the battery via an ignition controlled relay to get true battery volyage when on the move .
( TIM gauges are cheap and are not necessarily accurate )

stephend · Nov 21st, 2010, 08:58

Hi, with a voltmeter (or a digital multimeter on its volts setting), you're measuring the voltage difference between two points. So don't disconnect anything, simply stick the red probe on the point you want to measure, and the black probe on a good earth point (like the battery negative terminal if you're under the bonnet, or something like an unpainted bright metal screw head if you're working elsewhere on the car) and you should get the reading you need. (If what you've bought is a digital multimeter, make sure the red lead is plugged into the socket marked V/Ohm and the black lead into the socket marked COM, and also make sure it's set to read dc, not ac.)

Clan · Nov 21st, 2010, 09:14

I think brenda has bought one of those in car 2" round gauges to install permanantly . rather than a multimeter ....

Brenda · Nov 21st, 2010, 09:32

I have Clan, yes.

Interestingly, Motorspeed describe Tim gauges as \"Top Quality\", so they cant be that bad. Can they?

Clan · Nov 21st, 2010, 09:50

if you have a multimeter you can compare the readings when it is installed see what difference there is , but as with most car gauges it isnt the exact reading which is important it is how it varies over time , ie it should always be a similar reading , if it rises or falls there is something wrong , although an alternator will charge a higher voltage when really cold until it warms up ... .

stephend · Nov 21st, 2010, 16:40

Quote:

Originally Posted by Clan

I think brenda has bought one of those in car 2" round gauges to install permanantly . rather than a multimeter ....

Ah, I see. Sorry: my ignorance!

roadcar2000 · Nov 21st, 2010, 23:41

Hi Try this link : http://www.ehow.com/how_4795691_wire...auges-car.html

Nov 21st, 2010, 04:46	#1
Brenda I've Been Banned Last Online: Mar 29th, 2013 14:41 Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Norwich and Burgess Hill	Voltmeter wiring So, Ive done it. Ive finally bought a used voltmeter from TIM through Ebay, but as it is used there isnt a wiring diagram. Do I have to wire this back to the battery or is there a connection point nearby that I can use? Its for my 1998 Celebration Estate, if this helps with wiring colours etc... Brenda

Nov 21st, 2010, 08:54	#2
Clan Experienced Member Last Online: Today 16:50 Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: L/H side	make sure it goes to a good earth on the body then the live feed take from a suitable fuse in the central fuse box , try a few different ignition live fuses as you wont always get a true reading there due to volt drop . Idealy i would connect it direct to the battery via an ignition controlled relay to get true battery volyage when on the move . ( TIM gauges are cheap and are not necessarily accurate ) __________________ My comments are only based on my opinions and vast experience .

Nov 21st, 2010, 09:14	#4
Clan Experienced Member Last Online: Today 16:50 Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: L/H side	I think brenda has bought one of those in car 2" round gauges to install permanantly . rather than a multimeter .... __________________ My comments are only based on my opinions and vast experience .

Nov 21st, 2010, 09:50	#6
Clan Experienced Member Last Online: Today 16:50 Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: L/H side	if you have a multimeter you can compare the readings when it is installed see what difference there is , but as with most car gauges it isnt the exact reading which is important it is how it varies over time , ie it should always be a similar reading , if it rises or falls there is something wrong , although an alternator will charge a higher voltage when really cold until it warms up ... . __________________ My comments are only based on my opinions and vast experience .

Nov 21st, 2010, 08:58	#3
stephend Premier Member Last Online: Dec 23rd, 2023 21:20 Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: S. Wales View Photos By: stephend	Hi, with a voltmeter (or a digital multimeter on its volts setting), you're measuring the voltage difference between two points. So don't disconnect anything, simply stick the red probe on the point you want to measure, and the black probe on a good earth point (like the battery negative terminal if you're under the bonnet, or something like an unpainted bright metal screw head if you're working elsewhere on the car) and you should get the reading you need. (If what you've bought is a digital multimeter, make sure the red lead is plugged into the socket marked V/Ohm and the black lead into the socket marked COM, and also make sure it's set to read dc, not ac.)

Nov 21st, 2010, 09:32	#5
Brenda I've Been Banned Last Online: Mar 29th, 2013 14:41 Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Norwich and Burgess Hill	I have Clan, yes. Interestingly, Motorspeed describe Tim gauges as \"Top Quality\", so they cant be that bad. Can they?

Nov 21st, 2010, 23:41	#8
roadcar2000 Senior Member Last Online: Jun 2nd, 2023 11:46 Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: gosport	Hi Try this link : http://www.ehow.com/how_4795691_wire...auges-car.html

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