Amp. gage vs Volt gage

having second thoughts on the dash of my 64 cj5. I wanted a really clean, plain look. The 2 origonal round gauges in there were the Amp gauge and the mechanical oil pressure gauge. Getting the temp and fuel gauge on the spedo back working is a big priority.

Have read John Strenks stuff - really impressive bit of info there, so testing / trouble shooting is not the question here.

Every vehical I have ever owned, had a voltage gauge - it was because of this, I was able to get off a highway and to a safe place before being completly stalled, not once, but twice (separate vehicals), one a bad alt the other a bad voltage reg.(94 GMC 3/4 trk and a 04 1200 Custom HD), .

Why would I want to keep track of the Amps? - would I not be more concerned with the voltage in the system?

I am thinking of pullng the Amp. Gauge and replacing it with a Voltage gauge - have one here same size and look.

Opinions and other reasons for either gauge - yeah - I could hole saw another location - I just like the clean look, so one stays, one goes.

Thanks

 

I guess if you dont have a winch, large sound system, spot lights, I dont think you would need an amp gauge. The amp gauge indicates direction and relative strength of current flow and also monitors the electrical output of alternator or generator.

The gauge will also indicate if the vehicles electrical accessories are consuming more current than the alternator is outputting. You can always bolt that ampgage underneath the dash if you really want one. That wouldnt be as permanent as a hole in your dash. But maybe the pro's on here can answer the question better than I canR)

 

I run the original idiot light which will tell me immediately if I have a failure of broken fan belt, bad reg/alt? My ammeter (mounted bottom of dash) tells me my out-go load condition compared to my alt RPM put back to keep battery on full charge. That is immediate readings. Volt-meter can also show this ONLY slower reaction time to status of drain or charge of battery. Guess really it's mater of preferrance versus functionality.

 

Here is some good info from the Auto Meter FAQ web site:

http://www.autometer.com/tech_faq_answer.aspx?sid=1&qid=5

 

An amp meter carries enough current to weld with.... I would go with the voltmeter.

 

both would be ideal,abel to monitor load/charg with amp,able to monitor voltage with volt meter, volt meter is eaiser to hook up,less wire,smaller wire etc

 

I've had both and I much prefer the voltage gauge.

 

If the ammeter you have now is like most automotive ones, then as others have said it carries the full current from the battery (except starting current) which means large gauge wires and careful routing. I would recommend change it to either a voltmeter or an external shunt ammeter.

Voltmeters and ammeters give you somewhat different information, but I am happy with having either. The ammeter shows immediately if the alternator is putting out enough current to run your other stuff and charge the battery. The voltmeter tells you immediately if you have lost a cell or the voltage regulator is bad. If you are used to looking at your meters, when something goes wrong, you will notice changes and either meter works.

If you have an external shunt ammeter, then the shunt has the heavy wires and stays in the engine compartment near the battery. You then run small gauge fused wires to the meter itself. These ammeters are as safe as a voltmeter since that is what they are. They read the tiny voltage drop across the shunt resistor.

Kevin