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11-03-2010, 11:12 PM
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#1 |
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Registered User
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Marble Falls, TX
Posts: 1,575
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Ammeter vs. Voltmeter
My 77 has a voltmeter but I saw in the LMC that (I think it was) 76 and olders had an ammeter...what is the difference between them? They both show electrical charge but whats the difference and which is considered better?
Thanks
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Michael Re-starting the neglected '77...http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...=425464&page=9 |
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11-03-2010, 11:28 PM
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#2 |
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Registered User
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: slurrey, bc.
Posts: 1,134
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Re: Ammeter vs. Voltmeter
ammeter shows how how power the truck it using/charging... and a volt will tell you how many volts you have...
use a volt meter... they are actually useful.
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-'73 c/10 - Low with Go - will be complete... probably never. -'90 2wd Blazer - well... soon enough anyways. -'84 SWB - the daily gas guzzler. |
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11-03-2010, 11:31 PM
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#3 | |
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Registered User
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: Yay Area CA
Posts: 2,329
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Re: Ammeter vs. Voltmeter
Voltmeter all the way there is a reason they don't use ammeters anymore
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1965 GMC shortwide big window 1969 Chevy C20 long (for now) 2005 Silverado 2500HD Crew Cab Quote:
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11-04-2010, 12:36 AM
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#4 |
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Arrived on a Pale Horse
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: SnagTown Indiana
Posts: 2,524
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Re: Ammeter vs. Voltmeter
ammeter=bad voltmeter=good
 ammeters have the entire electrical load running "through" them, which makes for a good fire. Voltmeters are in "parallel" with the pos and neg of the system, which should be a direct reflection of the charge voltage / battery voltage due to the negative reference.
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Jason 87 V30 350TBI/400 White w/Boss V-plow 89 R3500 CC SRW |
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11-04-2010, 05:54 AM
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#5 |
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Registered User
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Oregon
Posts: 611
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Re: Ammeter vs. Voltmeter
The only problem with the ammeter is the fact that the full current has to flow through it, all the way to your dash. That's why they don't use them anymore. Besides that either one will work exactly the same, they're only going to be accurate enough to tell you if your alternator is working or it isn't. Even a voltmeter isn't accurate enough to do anymore than tell you if the alt is on or not.
My '73 has an ammeter, which is currently unhooked, probably because of the full amperage having to go through it. My '79 has the voltage gauge, but I wouldn't trust the reading on either one to tell me anything other than off or on. I'm going to keep the ammeter in the 73 just to keep it original and the voltmeter in the 79...
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'73 K20 Cheyenne Super Camper Special 350/TH350/NP205 sittin' on 33's. You can set my truck on fire and roll it down a hill, and I still wouldn't trade it for a Coupe de Ville. |
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11-04-2010, 09:21 AM
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#6 |
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Slots go on anything!
Join Date: May 2003
Location: Richardson, TX
Posts: 5,957
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Re: Ammeter vs. Voltmeter
How do you unhook the ammeter, or change it to a voltmeter? I am going to put a tach cluster in my '74, and would much rather a voltage gauge. Original is kinda out the window on my truck.
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1974 Jimmy- 5.3/4L80e/NP241 |
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11-04-2010, 10:44 AM
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#7 |
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Happy to be here
 
Join Date: Mar 2000
Location: Cypress, TX
Posts: 39,021
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Re: Ammeter vs. Voltmeter
Jon- The 77+ cluster will physically fit, but need to be rewired. I would look at converting to a 78+ cluster as it has electronic oil gauge too.
For those of you that don't know, DO NOT plug a VOLT cluster to an AMP harness unless you want a smoke show.
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Follow me on Facebook and Instagram @N2trux.com Articles- "Jake" the 84 to 74 crewcab "Elwood" the77_Remix 85 GMC Sierra "Scarlett" "Refining Sierra" |
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12-27-2010, 04:16 PM
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#8 |
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But Found Her 25yrs Later!
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: Oregon City, Oregon
Posts: 10,530
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Re: Ammeter vs. Voltmeter
I understand extremes like the voltmeter showing 5 or 25, but mine, with engine running, is at about 14-16.
Where abouts would be a bad low or high reading? Posted via Mobile Device
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I lost my 65 - Found it 25 years later: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=426650 66 C20 Service Truck: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=428035 |
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12-27-2010, 04:59 PM
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#9 |
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Registered User
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Milton, FL
Posts: 733
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Re: Ammeter vs. Voltmeter
anything under 12 is bad
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07-02-2012, 04:38 AM
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#10 |
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But Found Her 25yrs Later!
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: Oregon City, Oregon
Posts: 10,530
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Re: Ammeter vs. Voltmeter
I'm currently going through my wiring in my old 65.
I think I tell in my LostMy65 thread about an electrical fire I had back in 84. I was 19, so I wired just what was needed to get myself going. I never got around to doing anything more before I sold it in 86/87. Anyway... I'm currently going through my wiring in my old 65. I've got it all out and cleaning things up. Looking at the wiring now, I'm pretty positive the fire was related to the Ammeter. Most wires related to it are the ones that are totally fried.
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I lost my 65 - Found it 25 years later: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=426650 66 C20 Service Truck: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=428035 |
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07-02-2012, 10:50 AM
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#11 |
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Registered User
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: Oklahoma City Oklahoma
Posts: 1,056
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Re: Ammeter vs. Voltmeter
Think water, voltage is pressure and or potential while current is flow like (CFM) in some situations you want to know current draw but when it comes to the car starting voltage is mote important
Posted via Mobile Device |
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