Amp meter to volt meter "?"

Amp meter to volt meter "?" - 01/30/13 02:34 PM

I want to change my amp meter to a volt meter in my truck. Now, the org. amp meter was abandoned in lew of a separate gage on the dash years ago (yep, the common melt down problem was the culprit for the change). The wires from the org. amp meter were just removed, and moved to make the new gage work. What do I have to do to make this a volt meter, and get rid of the amp meter? Not really looking to make the org. amp meter a volt meter. Just the newer one.
Thanks

Posted By: meepmeep70

Re: Amp meter to volt meter "?" - 01/30/13 03:07 PM

Posted By: RapidRobert

Re: Amp meter to volt meter "?" - 01/30/13 03:09 PM

Put both ammeter wires on the same ammeter stud to bypass the ammeter if you want to eliminate the ammeter (if I'm reading this right) & check/clean the ring terminals first. Neg voltmeter terminal/case to ground, Positive voltmeter terminal to switched 12V either fuse box or ign switch ign1 (run) wire

Posted By: meepmeep70

Re: Amp meter to volt meter "?" - 01/30/13 05:43 PM

is there a volt meter that will fit ion a rally dash?

Posted By: XS22440SE

Re: Amp meter to volt meter "?" - 01/30/13 05:52 PM

i jut did the Mad bypass. i then ran a new volt gauge wired out of a switched hot from the fusebox and grounded at the dash frame

Attached picture 7567219-diagram6.jpg

Posted By: Russ H.

Re: Amp meter to volt meter "?" - 01/30/13 07:01 PM

Quote:

is there a volt meter that will fit ion a rally dash?

If a volt meter is not available, can the old amp meter be converted to one?

Russ

Posted By: roadrunninMark

Re: Amp meter to volt meter "?" - 01/30/13 08:16 PM

Russ, I asked that too in the other thread. So far, no responses yet. Also, what X has diagrammed, is this known as the "MAD bybass"? The idea is to bypass the ammeter and add a volt meter, correct?

Posted By: thehemikid

Re: Amp meter to volt meter "?" - 01/30/13 09:29 PM

If I remember correctly, back when I had all my gauges restored by (I think) Auto Instruments (its been a good while) I asked about changing mine over to volt & they said they could, but I changed my mind at the time.

Posted By: Russ H.

Re: Amp meter to volt meter "?" - 01/30/13 09:32 PM

Quote:

Russ, I asked that too in the other thread. So far, no responses yet. Also, what X has diagrammed, is this known as the "MAD bybass"? The idea is to bypass the ammeter and add a volt meter, correct?

Yes, my idea is to convert my amp gauge to read volts. I have been digging and ran across an outfit in California called Red Line Gauge Works. www.redlinegaugeworks.com They perform amp to volt conversions and keep the face looking original. I read posts on another board giving high praises to their work.

I now wonder how a volt gauge gets wired into the system? Maybe someone can explain.

Russ

Posted By: stumpy

Re: Amp meter to volt meter "?" - 01/30/13 09:52 PM

Any 12v keyed power to one side of the gauge and the other side to ground.

Posted By: Russ H.

Re: Amp meter to volt meter "?" - 01/30/13 09:56 PM

Quote:

Any 12v keyed power to one side of the gauge and the other side to ground.

Thank you, Sounds simple enough......

Posted By: ahy

Re: Amp meter to volt meter "?" - 01/31/13 05:15 AM

Quote:

Quote:

Any 12v keyed power to one side of the gauge and the other side to ground.

Thank you, Sounds simple enough......

That will get you going with a $10 +/- parts store voltmeter. You can also get your OE ammeter converted to a voltmeter for a near stock look by a gauge shop (I did) or DIY per a MA article.

Posted By: Cudajon

Re: Amp meter to volt meter "?" - 01/31/13 04:21 PM

Here's a step by step I posted some time ago.

Amp to Volt meter

Posted By: Mr340

Re: Amp meter to volt meter "?" - 01/31/13 06:54 PM

Quote:

Here's a step by step I posted some time ago.

Amp to Volt meter

Just finished converting mine

thanks for the write up

Posted By: Swedcharger67

Re: Amp meter to volt meter "?" - 01/31/13 09:44 PM

Quote:

i jut did the Mad bypass. i then ran a new volt gauge wired out of a switched hot from the fusebox and grounded at the dash frame

I don't want to be a PIA but also here you have several points that can melt down with bad maintenance.
Things melt down when you have loose connections, corroded connections, half-cut thru wires etc. An ammeter with tight connections doesn't melt down, it's a solid piece of metal and will probably be the last thing that melts down in your car.
But, with loose connections and bad connectors things happen!

Posted By: Cab_Burge

Re: Amp meter to volt meter "?" - 01/31/13 10:52 PM

Quote:

Quote:

i jut did the Mad bypass. i then ran a new volt gauge wired out of a switched hot from the fusebox and grounded at the dash frame

I don't want to be a PIA but also here you have several points that can melt down with bad maintenance.
Things melt down when you have loose connections, corroded connections, half-cut thru wires etc. An ammeter with tight connections doesn't melt down, it's a solid piece of metal and will probably be the last thing that melts down in your car.
But, with loose connections and bad connectors things happen!

The back side nuts come loose causing a high resistance connection through the threads of the stud and nut resulting in high heat,melting stuff, causing fires and so on

Mopar made all the current from the charging circuit go through the amp gauge

Posted By: roadrunninMark

Re: Amp meter to volt meter "?" - 02/01/13 03:40 AM

looks great CudaJohn, thanks for sharing