changing from amp to volt gauge

[Redrig]

Hello fellas,

I just bought a new set of faria gauges and it has a volt meter, my boat has an amp meter in it currently.

what is the process of getting this hooked up right? I am getting some mixed reviews online. can it just drop in or is there some serious rewiring involved ?

Thanks

 

[NYBo]

Re: changing from amp to volt gauge

An ammeter is hooked up in series with the load; a voltmeter is essentially in parallel (simply connects to the positive feed from the ignition switch/other gauges and the negative busbar at the helm). Therefore you CANNOT use the same hookup.

You'll also have to bridge the ammeter leads to complete the circuit or you won't get any juice downstream.

 

[Redrig]

Re: changing from amp to volt gauge

An ammeter is hooked up in series with the load; a voltmeter is essentially in parallel (simply connects to the positive feed from the ignition switch/other gauges and the negative busbar at the helm). Therefore you CANNOT use the same hookup.

You'll also have to bridge the ammeter leads to complete the circuit or you won't get any juice downstream.

I just found in my manual instructions for replacing a ammeter with a volt gauge.

currently on my ammeter, I have 1 red wire going to the "I" terminal.
on the "S " terminal I have an orange wire coming into it, and another orange wire going from that same terminal to the ignition.

the manual says to basically tie those 3 wires together. Does that sound right ?

once that is done. It says to run a wire from the Ignition switch to the "I" terminal on the new volt gauge. and of course ground and hook up lights.

Am I understanding this right? from what I can tell the current ammeter supplies the juice to my ignition and my fuse panel and those of course are always hot. I am trying to post the instructions from my manual but my scanner is not working.

Thanks for any help with this

 

[NYBo]

Re: changing from amp to volt gauge

Yes, you've got it right. Be careful in connecting the 3 wires; you don't want a short. I recommend using something this for the job.

 

[Redrig]

Re: changing from amp to volt gauge

Yes, you've got it right. Be careful in connecting the 3 wires; you don't want a short. I recommend using something this for the job.

Thanks for the link on that, I will pick one of those up. I was just going to use a large wire nut for household wiring.

I have ran all of the wiring for new dash and gauges, I had to create all new wiring for the power, lighting and ground because my stock wiring had push on terminals and I needed rings for these farias, While I am doing this I think I am going to add a new fuse panel, mine is ghetto and only has about 4-5 gangs, so there is alot of splicing going on, and I want it to be cleaner.

 

[NYBo]

Re: changing from amp to volt gauge

Never, ever use wire nuts on boat wiring!