Question,

[THE BUDDAH]

Hello,

I'm thinking of putting a gauge in my range rover 2.5tdi to check the battery status but don't know what to get or were to get it.
Do I get an amp meter or volt meter for a start?
What should the gauge read 50 amps- 30 amps, I don't know?

Can anybody point me in the right direction?
All I want to do is be able to tell when my battery is running low before I get starting problems.

Thanks for any advice and help.

Mike.

 

[bobbler]

depends what you are after checking?

some defenders come with voltmeters fitted as standard, tend to be good to keep an eye on battery/alternator status

 

[THE BUDDAH]

Battery status is what I would like to check. If the battery starts to run down then I can check alternator, as I do short runs quite frequent the battery may not get enough charge.

Mike.

 

[nrgserv]

volt meter across the battery terminals, +60 - 0 - -60 ammeter in series with battery and dash supply.
means altering cabling a bit but it tells you ampage going into and out of the battery.

tis a good idea for diagnosis, just a faff to do.

edit
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Classic-S...arts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM&hash=item1c1ea2e425

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/AMMETER-6...arts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM&hash=item4155ac09bc

 

[The Mad Hat Man]

but not in the starter motor circuit

 

[1396midget]

voltmeter safer and probably easier to fit than ammeter, ammeter has to take full alt feed through it, need some pretty beefy cabling and if the ammeter dies then no more electicity..

got both in the Midget, voltmeter tells you all the ammeter tells you, but slower. voltmeter tells you the charge in the battery, so you can tell if it's not working as the charge will go down, ammeter tells you the current flowing, if the alt can't cope then it shows +ve current i.e. you is using more than you have.

personally I prefer the ammeter, but the voltmeter's got nice colours on it.

 

[nrgserv]

but not in the starter motor circuit

did state in dash supply

 

[The Mad Hat Man]

did state in dash supply

I know that, you know that, but maybe the OP didnt realise that would be critical

 

[nrgserv]

voltmeter safer and probably easier to fit than ammeter, ammeter has to take full alt feed through it, need some pretty beefy cabling and if the ammeter dies then no more electicity..

got both in the Midget, voltmeter tells you all the ammeter tells you, but slower. voltmeter tells you the charge in the battery, so you can tell if it's not working as the charge will go down, ammeter tells you the current flowing, if the alt can't cope then it shows +ve current i.e. you is using more than you have.

personally I prefer the ammeter, but the voltmeter's got nice colours on it.

your ammeters in backwards if it shows +ve on discharge

 

[THE BUDDAH]

Hi,
All I want to know from a meter is how much power is in the battery and when it may need charging before I have starting problems.
So...mmm Volt meter verse Ammeter?

How do you fit these things anyway?

Thanks.

Mike.

 

[The Mad Hat Man]

an Ammeter wont tell you battery state - a Voltmeter will.

 

[nrgserv]

I know that, you know that, but maybe the OP didnt realise that would be critical

how far do you go havin to explain summat without writing a manual?

 

[The Mad Hat Man]

how far do you go havin to explain summat without writing a manual?

As much as you think the OP needs to be able to do the job, bearing in mind their knowledge and the results of a risk assesment .

 

[nrgserv]

As much as you think the OP needs to be able to do the job, bearing in mind their knowledge and the results of a risk assesment .

grrr
risk assessments.....

applied common sence.

he'll know if he's doubtfull and should ask.
then i'll answer again.

did he actually ask how to fit one, cant remember now!

 

[nrgserv]

Battery status is what I would like to check. If the battery starts to run down then I can check alternator, as I do short runs quite frequent the battery may not get enough charge.

Mike.

voltmeter across battery terminals.
+ve to +ve, -ve to -ve.

just for mhm....

 

[The Mad Hat Man]

grrr
risk assessments.....

applied common sence.

If only

The Q is - from his replies, do you think he stands a good chance of setting fire to the vehicle? Coz I do

 

[nrgserv]

If only

The Q is - from his replies, do you think he stands a good chance of setting fire to the vehicle? Coz I do

well his ra should tell him that!
not mine!

 

[Paulmitchell1984]

sorry to steal but what are the ammetere guages used for then?

 

[nrgserv]

sorry to steal but what are the ammetere guages used for then?

measuring the current (in amps) going into and comin out of the battery.

ammeter needle pointing to -ve side says discharge, pointing to +ve side, charging.

will tell you how many amps the alternators putting back into the battery and for how long. all dependant on your battery state of discharge.

heavily discharged battery will take longer for alternator to replenish it, healthy battery needle will return to zero quicker.

needle should stay on zero when engine running and lights, heater etc turned on with a healthy battery. using more amps than your alternator can supply will result in needle dropping into -ve side (ie when yer heater plugs are on)

alternativly, google should tell you all this

edit
if ammeter stays zero, voltmeter says 14 ish volt when engine running, ok.
when engine off and voltmeter drops to 12v or below within short space of time, suspect battery.

 

[Paulmitchell1984]

thanks for the info,