how to wire up an ammeter?

[Tacoma747]

I bought a cheap set of gauges to put in my Tacoma, got the oil pressure and water temp gauges installed, but the directions for the ammeter don't make sense. I have tried the one set of directions that DOES make sense, and it doesn't work. Has anybody ever wired one up on a Tacoma or Toyota pickup, they are probably all similar.

Thanks

 

[SEAIRESCUE]

Yo,
Amp meters are a measurement of current flow through a single wire in your case. So, you have to cut a hot wire and connect it inline so to speak. I believe your gage is directionally sensitive so you may need to figure out which connection gets the supply side. If it fails to work, reverse the leads. Make damn sure the thing is fused! I watched a 56 chevy melt because the ammeter shorted out and fried the entire wiring harness! If your truck has a volt meter, that circuit will not work for the ammeter unless you tap into one side. Volt meters are wired in parallel. The ammeter is wired in series.

 

[Tacoma747]

It should measure amperage draw from the whole truck. It goes + and -, so it should show when there is a draw such as headlights or winch, and when I am making power such as when I have no electronics running.

 

[Ron]

#1 an ammeter gets wired in in series before the first electrical draw.

THEY ARE A BAD IDEA IN A VEHICLE.

If you insist on using...

Read this:
http://www.madelectrical.com/electricaltech/amp-gauges.shtml

It will tell you how and why not

 

[lugnut]

Many a Jeep Wagoner has burnt due to amp meters.

 

[Tacoma747]

Well I guess you guys have talked me out of putting it in the truck

Now I need to find another gauge to fill the hole that is already cut...

Thanks

 

[Chris_M]

Now I need to find another gauge to fill the hole that is already cut...
Thanks

.

 

[shawn]

Get a volt meter. Volts drop when you're not making enough amps, raise when you're making too many. Not exactly the same, but you get the same information in the end.