amps and volts ?

turbo-tom · Post by **turbo-tom** » Mon Sep 26, 2011 10:19 pm

right im going to splash some cash on some fancie dials i have been looking at the tim ones because of the reviews etc and they look nice

but whats the differents between a amp meter and a volt meter ?

ta tom

Post by **dan_2k_uk** » Mon Sep 26, 2011 10:31 pm

volts is the potential difference between any 2 points in a circuit.

in this case about 12 when the ignition is on and 14ish when charging (engine running)

amps is the current being driven by that voltage. (will let you know the consumption at that time) e.g drawing a current with everything off = bad news for battery

will go into more detail or explain better if you want but thats pretty much the jist of it.

kind of struggle to explain even the simplest electrical problem simply as I spend my whole life talking technical!

Dan

turbo-tom · Post by **turbo-tom** » Mon Sep 26, 2011 10:33 pm

cheers dan

, so a volt one it is then ?

Darrell · Post by **Darrell** » Mon Sep 26, 2011 10:33 pm

Fit a volt meter, much easier to install and more useful in my opinion.

A voltmeter will just show the battery voltage which will change depending on how much you have switched on and will show that the alternator is charging.
A amp meter will show the current going too or from the battery and doesn't really let you know what state the battery is in. Also a little more difficult to wire in depending on the unit.

Post by **dan_2k_uk** » Mon Sep 26, 2011 10:37 pm

i was gunna suggest that an ammeter was pointless but if you want a dash rammed with dials its a handy addition. not realy much use tho and as Darrel says a pain to wire unless its a rather swanky "clamp-on" job.

turbo-tom · Post by **turbo-tom** » Mon Sep 26, 2011 10:39 pm

thank you very much you two

once again top service on this forum

still getting use to electrics only being 15

Post by **dan_2k_uk** » Mon Sep 26, 2011 10:49 pm

bit easier when u have an a-level in electronics and a level 3 NVQ in electrical installation testing and maintainance and work with it every day.

still a F**KER when you cant figure out what cables do what tho!

always willing to help

twiss · Post by **twiss** » Tue Sep 27, 2011 10:22 am

Amp meter could be handy though... even if only for the winch... then you should be able to tell how much it's drawing and make a guesstimate on how much load you're putting on it!

Volt meter's much better though

Tramp · Post by **Tramp** » Tue Sep 27, 2011 12:29 pm

Putting it simply, imagine a road where all the cars travel the same direction, the speed of the cars is the voltage (V) and the amount of cars is the current (Amps)

In usefulness the voltage meter is generally best and easiest to install, ammeters are great but are best used on individual components.

dan_2k_uk wrote:bit easier when u have an a-level in electronics and a level 3 NVQ in electrical installation testing and maintainance and work with it every day.

still a F**KER when you cant figure out what cables do what tho!

always willing to help

Having a HNC doesn't always make it easier! At least with 12v you can make mistakes and it doesnt matter so much!

twiss · Post by **twiss** » Tue Sep 27, 2011 12:44 pm

Car electronics are easy

PC components runs on +12v, -12v, +5v, -5v, +3.3v and have earths as well

Suzuki Club UK

amps and volts ?

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