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Volt Meter or Amp meter
- Thread starter Healey 12
- Start date
MCBladeRun
Club Member
Hi, do you mean a meter for testing circuits in your vehicle?
Or do you mean a dash-mount meter / replacement meter?
Or do you mean a dash-mount meter / replacement meter?
Are you leaving the engine/dash looms basically standard?
If so then you would be better sticking to an ammeter. Don't you have one?
I fitted a voltmeter in my 240Z but I made major changes to the loom. The Ammeter carries the charging current so it has heavy duty wiring to it, if you fit a voltmeter you will have to 'join' these and also provide a charging-lamp feed from the alternator.
The two Datsun gauges are different - they have bezels to fit the different dashboards (but you can swop them with a little adapting).
Also the writing (fonts) are different but that didn't concern me.
If so then you would be better sticking to an ammeter. Don't you have one?
I fitted a voltmeter in my 240Z but I made major changes to the loom. The Ammeter carries the charging current so it has heavy duty wiring to it, if you fit a voltmeter you will have to 'join' these and also provide a charging-lamp feed from the alternator.
The two Datsun gauges are different - they have bezels to fit the different dashboards (but you can swop them with a little adapting).
Also the writing (fonts) are different but that didn't concern me.
Healey 12
Club Member
yeah mine ammeter is broken and my electrician is recommending altering the wiring to fit the Voltmeter . I don't mind either way depends what I can get and when .
mine ammeter is broken and electrician is saying voltmeter is better do you have one?
I might, I'll have a look in the loft.
TimFZ
Club Member
The Ammeter does not have to carry all the current. You use a "shunt" so it reads correctly but carries only a fraction of the amps. This is why the wiring does not look like starter cables....
Adding a volt meter is easy. One positive and one ground very low current needed, close to the battery. Easy alternative wiring if you preferred one to an ammeter but make the existing ammeter wires safe so they don't short. They can be left open circuit.
Adding a volt meter is easy. One positive and one ground very low current needed, close to the battery. Easy alternative wiring if you preferred one to an ammeter but make the existing ammeter wires safe so they don't short. They can be left open circuit.
Tim no shunts on a 240Z. Of course the ammeter doesn't carry starter current.
Ammeter wires can't be left open circuit they carry current from the alternator to the battery.
Last edited:
TimFZ
Club Member
Of course, if its the main feed then not open circuit. Sorry talking in general not from experience. I stand corrected!
Healey 12
Club Member
I guess the 280 Z style if you have one
Do you have the bezel off a 240Z meter to make a 280Z meter fit your dash?
What about the charge lamp?
Healey 12
Club Member
yeah that is what I have been told do you have one spare?
check @Minksport post above ^