volt meter ?

[jtomsic 5,000+ posts]

ok i install a digital volt meter today and im running straight to battery at moment but my question is if i connect it that way will the small current the volt meter uses run my battery dead or should i be ok?

Click to read more...

 

[Buck 5,000+ posts]

You should be ok but he volt meter should have a remote turn on.

 

[pro-rabbit 5,000+ posts]

You should be ok but he volt meter should have a remote turn on.

Exactly, I would wire into a wire that is hot with the key on, your radio, or even some type of toggle switch.

 

[jtomsic 5,000+ posts]

yeah i have an extra rocker switch here but i wasnt sure if it would matter that much to make it work doing all that but.. i will i dont want to buy a new battery for a $6 gauge.

 

[Buck 5,000+ posts]

I have my remote turn on for my stinger wired into the remote turn on for my amp. You could wire it to the head unit too.

 

[jtomsic 5,000+ posts]

yeah i might just do that.. run both ground wires to battery, one + to battery and the signal spliced into my remote to be safe...then i dont even have to mess with a new switch

 

[Buck 5,000+ posts]

It doesn't matter where you splice it at either.

Although, food for thought, I would put the pos and neg as close to your amps as possible to see how low of voltage your amp will see when your voltage starts dropping.

 

[matt_bennett05 10+ year member]

It doesn't matter where you splice it at either.
Although, food for thought, I would put the pos and neg as close to your amps as possible to see how low of voltage your amp will see when your voltage starts dropping.

This right chere.

 

[Tormented 10+ year member]

Can you not just power the gauge pos and neg from the amp? Or would that be a bad idea?

 

[Buck 5,000+ posts]

Yes you can do that, and that is actually the best way to do it imo so you know what voltage your amp is seeing.

 

[Tormented 10+ year member]

Is there a suggested gauge to run? Or somewhere good to purchase them from?

 

[Buck 5,000+ posts]

Gauge for the voltmeter wire?

 

[Tormented 10+ year member]

I guess i need to be more specific when using words with multiple meanings. :/ I was referring more to the voltmeter itself. But i guess thats also a good question, does the g of the wire matter for the meter? I dont really think it does but im not a pro.

 

[Buck 5,000+ posts]

Not really, because it's not drawing very much current. I think I have 16 gauge or so running mine.

 

[matt_bennett05 10+ year member]

Well on a longer run I would bump the wire size by at least 1 size just because (guess I'm OCD'ish though). If it's short, it shouldn't hurt a thing.