Voltmeter gauge wiring

Velox · #1 (**permalink**) 04-20-2008, 04:51 PM

You mean like this

Just my opinion FWIW but I would not attach the amp wiring to the Smiths voltmeter. All the accessory current flows through those wires on the ammeter from the battery source and the fuse assembly, check Blas's SPF wiring diagram for review. Those large ammeter wires need to the carefully and thoroughly soldered together and very securely shrink tubing isolated from anything else and zip tied carefully in a secure safe place. The tiny terminal on the voltmeter is not sufficient purchase for such heaving wiring to be positioned and connected there. Attach a "key-on" 12v + source to the positive side of the voltmeter, such as the wire that goes to your lighter or similar, other side of the voltmeter to ground. That's how I did it, works fine

patrickt · #2 (**permalink**) 04-20-2008, 04:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Velox

Just my opinion FWIW but I would not attach the amp wiring to the Smiths voltmeter. All the accessory current flows through those wires on the ammeter from the battery source and the fuse assembly, check Blas's SPF wiring diagram for review. Those large ammeter wires need to the carefully and thoroughly soldered together....

That's good advice. Strike my previous opinion.

MCOULTER · #3 (**permalink**) 05-10-2008, 04:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Velox

You mean like this

Just my opinion FWIW but I would not attach the amp wiring to the Smiths voltmeter. All the accessory current flows through those wires on the ammeter from the battery source and the fuse assembly, check Blas's SPF wiring diagram for review. Those large ammeter wires need to the carefully and thoroughly soldered together and very securely shrink tubing isolated from anything else and zip tied carefully in a secure safe place. The tiny terminal on the voltmeter is not sufficient purchase for such heaving wiring to be positioned and connected there. Attach a "key-on" 12v + source to the positive side of the voltmeter, such as the wire that goes to your lighter or similar, other side of the voltmeter to ground. That's how I did it, works fine

Odd thing, I disconnected the red wire to my lighter and placed it on the positive terminal on the voltmeter. Everything seems to work fine except my windshield wipers run continuously. I was just going to disconnect the windshield wipers. Any other ideas?

Bartruff1 · #4 (**permalink**) 05-24-2008, 04:44 PM

Mine (SP2811) is always reading negative and will go further negative if the fans are on. The local Ford Performance Dealer checked it out and said (or maybe I heard ) that the battery is fully charged and the alternator is charging normal. He said that gauge was in line and it was not unusual for a Amp Meter to read negative cuz if the battery is fully charged the voltage regulator will stop charging and so the system will draw power from the battery ??? I don't know if that makes any sense or not. Years ago, before the Japanese started making motorbikes we had to ride British Bikes and the Lucas electrical systems were a joke.....makes me think a bad gauge, anyone else have this situation ??

Blas · #5 (**permalink**) 05-24-2008, 06:10 PM

Your car is SO new...
Take it back to the dealer and tell them to "FIX IT." - period.
Make yours work like most of the other AMP gauges in their cars...
I make the wirings diagrams for these cars, so I've seen quite a few, and that's not normal...

Bartruff1 · #6 (**permalink**) 05-24-2008, 09:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Blas

Your car is SO new...
Take it back to the dealer and tell them to "FIX IT." - period.
Make yours work like most of the other AMP gauges in their cars...
I make the wirings diagrams for these cars, so I've seen quite a few, and that's not normal...

The nearest dealer is about 800 miles away. I don't think Park Place in Seattle is a dealer anymore. I'll take it into a Auto Electric shop here in Wenatchee and see what they can do. I bought my car from Dynamic and they have been sold and my car is the responsibility of the former owner and I would be amazed if he did anything. I'll send the bill to him and Superformance and see if they are stand up guys...I suppose it could be a installation problem ??? This I know, I will never ever buy another component car, you just get a run around...I don't even have a MSO as yet !! Do you know if the diagram in the owners manual is correct ??

Blas · #7 (**permalink**) 05-25-2008, 07:28 AM

I would just call Lance (Owner: Superformance) first. Any money says he will ok a local shop to look at your car, as would Dynamic. Check your PM for some other information from me for things you can check first. FYI: There is always a period of debugging with these cars, just like a main-stream car, except you can't hear squeaks and the like with these cars....