aaronblue Posted January 21, 2008 Report Posted January 21, 2008 Hi all im just about to install a voltmeter into my mk2 escort i jst wanted to know the best place to get power from cheers all
over_head_cam Posted January 21, 2008 Report Posted January 21, 2008 Mate. Is it a volt meter or an ammeter?
over_head_cam Posted January 21, 2008 Report Posted January 21, 2008 I don't know the answer to your question, I just wanted to know what you were fitting I'm sure some clever sparks will be along soon with all the correct info
john_3.0s Posted January 21, 2008 Report Posted January 21, 2008 best wire to pick up on would be the accessory wire (orange??) on a mk2 and just a decent earth somewhere, that way it will only come on when the ign is on
aaronblue Posted January 21, 2008 Author Report Posted January 21, 2008 Ah fantastic thank you fella.
petrolhead Posted January 21, 2008 Report Posted January 21, 2008 Or i you do a voltage check on the back of the Starter Key barrel you will find the switchable 12V live tab that is a male spade connection and all you need is a good earth like John says.
Savvi Posted January 21, 2008 Report Posted January 21, 2008 Use a decent heavy wire at the ignition switch to get a good reading. Use heavyish cable to stop any melt downs !!
aaronblue Posted January 21, 2008 Author Report Posted January 21, 2008 I have just had a look now and i dont see an orange wire? im i bit stuck now lol
john_3.0s Posted January 21, 2008 Report Posted January 21, 2008 Use a decent heavy wire at the ignition switch to get a good reading.Use heavyish cable to stop any melt downs !! you wont need thick wire mate, current will only be 100mA or less. As per above post find the live of the back of the switch, or the feed to your accessories like radio etc that come on with the ignition and use that with a decent earth somewhere
Savvi Posted January 22, 2008 Report Posted January 22, 2008 The heavier the wire the more accurate it will read !!
john_3.0s Posted January 22, 2008 Report Posted January 22, 2008 The heavier the wire the more accurate it will read !! Agreed, but this isnt a piece of calibrated lab equipment. a 1 ohm cable resistance at 100mA fsd on the meter (both exagerations of real life) would present at 0.1v drop on the volt meter, less than you would even be able to see on a typical gauge and most likely less than the accuracy of the volt meters that is just intended to indicate if there is a problem with over or under charging by the alternator. As with anything though its always good practice to make sure your cables are good quality and earth point close to the equipment and nice and clean
Savvi Posted January 22, 2008 Report Posted January 22, 2008 John i agree with what you are saying ...... in my experience someone who is more of a novice will not know the in and outs of ohms, amps etc. I was only trying to be helpful in the most basic understandable way for someone who does not wire cars for a living (unlike ourselves) so the work they carry out is safe and reliable for them without breaking the bank, most people think a normal speaker cable is heavy duty !!! I have seen many cars that have had DIY wiring that in some cases have resulted in an electrical fire varying from poor connections, bad earths, under sized cables ,and just outright stupid cable routing!! I can remember one guy routing a powered amp cable direct from the battery out the back of the bonnet, through the door shut (door squashed cable when shut) along the inner seats over the rear seat and onto the amp in the boot all without being fused !!! I had the car in for a phone kit fitting only and he really could not see why i had a problem with his cable routing !!!
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