Volt Meter Question

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RRoller123
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Volt Meter Question

Postby RRoller123 » Tue Jul 11, 2017 11:09 am

I am planning to add a voltmeter to my '80 FI. It doesn't have one from the factory.

Question is: Where do you folks hook it up? Do you take the (+) directly off of the Alternator post, and then take the (-) from an engine block ground? Or some other approach?

Does anyone know how the factory did it; i.e. what points did they pick from?

Pete
'80 FI Spider 2000
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GeorgeT
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Re: Volt Meter Question

Postby GeorgeT » Tue Jul 11, 2017 2:03 pm

RRoller123 wrote:I am planning to add a voltmeter to my '80 FI. It doesn't have one from the factory.
Does anyone know how the factory did it; i.e. what points did they pick from?

Pete

You answered your own question in your second sentence - the factory didn't install them. There should installation instructions with the meter.

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RRoller123
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Re: Volt Meter Question

Postby RRoller123 » Tue Jul 11, 2017 2:16 pm

The '80 doesn't have the Volt Meter, but I believe some of the earlier cars did, :?: and I am going to source one of those used, like the Veglia Oil Pressure Gauge that I already have sourced used which the '80 didn't have either. Haven't installed that yet, but it will all go in at once, and will sort out the power wiring to the various relays too at the same time.

I found this little power distribution/junction device and ordered it; most of these don't have a protective cover, which I think is crazy, but this one does, and has a lot of positions available.

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'80 FI Spider 2000
'74 and '79 X1/9 (past)
'75 BMW R75/6
2011 Chevy Malibu (daily driver)
2010 Chevy Silverado 2500HD Ext Cab 4WD/STD BED
2002 Edgewater 175CC 80HP 4-Stroke Yamaha
2003 Jaguar XK8
2003 Jaguar XKR
2021 Jayco 22RB
2019 Bianchi Torino Bicycle

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Re: Volt Meter Question

Postby spider2081 » Tue Jul 11, 2017 3:54 pm

Keep in mind that the alternator output post is "Hot all the time" So the voltmeter will be a load on the battery when the car is not running.

I would connect it to a "Hot in start or run" circuit. The "INT" position on the original Sipea ignition switch usually has an unused terminal.

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Re: Volt Meter Question

Postby davery » Tue Jul 11, 2017 5:19 pm

spider2081 wrote:Keep in mind that the alternator output post is "Hot all the time" So the voltmeter will be a load on the battery when the car is not running.

I would connect it to a "Hot in start or run" circuit. The "INT" position on the original Sipea ignition switch usually has an unused terminal.

I had a Veglia one installed for a while and I think I connected it to the seat belt buzzer circuit.
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Nanonevol
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Re: Volt Meter Question

Postby Nanonevol » Tue Jul 11, 2017 6:08 pm

I hooked mine to a random 12 volt (key on) wire I found under the dash. I think the gauge will read pretty much the same wherever you hook it up. I can understand looking for a "stock" location, however.
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RRoller123
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Re: Volt Meter Question

Postby RRoller123 » Tue Jul 11, 2017 6:41 pm

spider2081 wrote:Keep in mind that the alternator output post is "Hot all the time" So the voltmeter will be a load on the battery when the car is not running.

I would connect it to a "Hot in start or run" circuit. The "INT" position on the original Sipea ignition switch usually has an unused terminal.


Thanks, that's a good idea, and is very close to being a direct (very few intermediate connectors) battery connection. The INT on my ignition switch is presently unused. I think I will go with that, and probably use an open spot on the ground pod under the dash for the GND.
'80 FI Spider 2000
'74 and '79 X1/9 (past)
'75 BMW R75/6
2011 Chevy Malibu (daily driver)
2010 Chevy Silverado 2500HD Ext Cab 4WD/STD BED
2002 Edgewater 175CC 80HP 4-Stroke Yamaha
2003 Jaguar XK8
2003 Jaguar XKR
2021 Jayco 22RB
2019 Bianchi Torino Bicycle

baltobernie
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Re: Volt Meter Question

Postby baltobernie » Tue Jul 11, 2017 9:48 pm

I had a voltmeter in my Spider while I searched for a clock. I never found it particularly useful, and replaced it with a working clock. If I were looking for a way to monitor the electrical system, I think an ammeter would be more informative. Just my 2¢

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Re: Volt Meter Question

Postby Jon124 » Wed Jul 12, 2017 1:17 pm

If you are looking for a gauge that resembles the style of the later cars (needle up vs down) I would suggest a faria beede "euro" style. Example part number 12821. I used their oil pressure gauge and was very happy with the result viewtopic.php?f=5&t=35368&p=272879&hilit=Pressure+gauge#p272879. You can buy them on amazon.
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RRoller123
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Re: Volt Meter Question

Postby RRoller123 » Wed Jul 12, 2017 2:46 pm

Thanks, Jon124. I will take a look at it!
'80 FI Spider 2000
'74 and '79 X1/9 (past)
'75 BMW R75/6
2011 Chevy Malibu (daily driver)
2010 Chevy Silverado 2500HD Ext Cab 4WD/STD BED
2002 Edgewater 175CC 80HP 4-Stroke Yamaha
2003 Jaguar XK8
2003 Jaguar XKR
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Re: Volt Meter Question

Postby focodave » Thu Jul 13, 2017 10:02 am

I connected my voltmeter to the key chime circuit ( I removed the chime).
When I get in the car and insert the key, I can see the surface battery voltage on the voltmeter before I actually turn the key to start the car.
Works for me...
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chrisg
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Re: Volt Meter Question

Postby chrisg » Thu Jul 13, 2017 10:37 am

I put a voltmeter in my 128 a few months ago, wired on the circuit for courtesy lights, so hot all the time. I thought that would be a good idea to be able to glance into the car & check the battery condition & it would be a very minimal draw. As I found, for a sporadically driven car, it is enough of a draw that I've had to charge the battery a few times, so I'll be moving it to a key-on hot wire soon. I like a voltmeter for monitoring a total load w/ fan/lights/more lights/etc. & because the wiring required is brainless (except the always-hot part...oh well) , though the comments about amps vs. volts above are probably wise.
Chris Granju
Knoxville, TN
'71 FIAT 124BS (pretty), '72 FIAT 124BC,'76 FIAT 128 Wagon(ratbeast), '85 Bertone X 1/9, '70 124BC (project), 79 X1/9 (hot rod in rehab), '73 124BS (2L, mean), '74 124 Special TC, '73 124CS, '73 124 Familiare

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nelsonj
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Re: Volt Meter Question

Postby nelsonj » Thu Jul 13, 2017 4:27 pm

Amazon has a device you can plug into the cigarette lighter just like a lighter. Seems like a handy option to keep in the car to spot check if issues are suspected. I think the cig lighter is hot all the time because nothing should get in between a man and a cigarette (joke).

https://www.amazon.com/Car-Charger-Smar ... te+lighter
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