volt meter /altrenator ?

[flyguymv1]

Hello all this is my first post here...but I do have a question....when hooking up a volt meter should it be hooked up so that when the key is on it shows batt. life left or hooked up to the altenator?...my motor is a 1982 johnson sea horse...3 cylender does this motor have a charging system and could the volt meter be hooked up that way? or is it better the other way I mentioned also if anyone can give me the wire i need to tap into in eather case... thanks in advance!

 

[Joe Reeves]

Re: volt meter /altrenator ?

A volt meter should be wired so that it registers battery voltage only. Do not attempt to wire it into the charging system. As the charging system increases the voltage within the battery, that voltage will automatically register on the volt gauge.

 

[Spidybot]

Re: volt meter /altrenator ?

Connect to the general power circuit so that you get power to the meter when the key is turned.<br /><br />When the motor runs (and charges) the voltage will raise on the whole harness and you'll be able to check that it's actually charging. When motor is off you can use the meter to assure that no load is on the system (as supposed to, just to verify all is OK) and by switching some consumer on you can time the voltage drop and know the general battery condition (roughly, unless your voltmeter is very exact (read: digital)).