adding ammeter to CRI

[sam-tip]

Wanting to add a VDO series 1 ammeter to my cr.

Does this make any sense? Wire diagram link is below

This would be easy on new system. But this is a 17 year after thought. From the VDO wiring diagram I would cut the battery wire (always +12 volt) going to the ignition switch and reconnect it to the +B terminal of the ammeter. Then connect red wire from the alternator and the other end of the cut ignition switch wire to the +L terminal.



http://www.egauges.com/pdf/vdo/0-515-012-154.pdf

Thanks
Doug

[Barnsnake]

If you want an ammeter for nostalgia purposes, put one in the dash. Just don't wire it up.
Use a voltmeter to monitor your charging system.

[RICK LAKE]

samtip Sam couple of things here, If the max charging output is less than 70 amps, I see no problem with an amp gauge. If you are running over 70 AMPS, the gauge will take short high amp or voltage spikes but with burn out the insolators on the gauge. This are only plastic. To add a voltage gauge, it's easy, just connect wiring of L+ to B+ and add a short 14 gauge wire to this connection. The other side of the gauge goes to ground. That's it. Thius way you can add a high charging system if needed. Also make 100% you are running the correct gauge wire for this. 10 gauge would be the normal. Same applies for the output on the Alt. Run a 4 gauge wire with a 125-150 amp maxi fuse. This will protect the charging system. You can also run one from the battery + side to fuse block. Just something to think about. Rick L. Ps cobras make a lousy marshmello roast. bad smell too. Pss I had an amp meter in the ERA for 14 years and everything worked ok. This was with a 70 amp max output Alt. I went to a 100 amp setup. The SW amp gauge was still ok but the plastic isolators where hard and brown in color from many years of high charging. Another year or 2 and I might have had a fire under the dash. There is NOTHING wrong with the ERA wiring harness or gauges. I just went pass the limit of the gauge. Spikes of ampage is high when starting the car AND THE AMP GAUGE WOULD PIN. The volt gauge is colored and doesn't look OEM or original. A small paint bush and black paint will fix this little problem to cover the colors.

[sam-tip]

I have had a voltage gauage for years. Did the voltage guage after I drove the battery dead. I was amazed how far I could drive before the battery went dead. Did not have the blue wire connect so the alternator was not charging. The voltage guage only tells you the status of your battery. I am wanting to know the charging system is working. Thus amps. With my current upgrade project being Air Conditioning if figured know amps would be important. I am expecting a amp draw of about 40 amps with all the fans running.

Very good point on the span range of the ammeter. I think I have a 140 amp alternator. Now I think I should get a bigger ammeter. Plus larger wire. I was going to use 10 guage wire. 10 would have worked for my 60 amp guage but sounds like it would not last.

Thanks for the very good information.

Doug