Print Page | Close Window

inline volt meter

Printed From: the12volt.com
Forum Name: Car Audio
Forum Discription: Car Stereos, Amplifiers, Crossovers, Processors, Speakers, Subwoofers, etc.
URL: https://www.the12volt.com/installbay/forum_posts.asp?tid=112889
Printed Date: May 11, 2025 at 3:47 PM


Topic: inline volt meter

Posted By: bemendozer
Subject: inline volt meter
Date Posted: April 03, 2009 at 1:09 PM

Hi Everyone.

Ok I have an inline volt meter that simply tells me the voltage going to the amps, I dont need it but want it for show. Heres the thing cos its inline from the poss its on all the time. Even though its an L.E.D display and not using much off the battery I'd rather it was on unless the amps are on, is there anyway I can wire it so this happens? I was thinking of putting it on the neg after the amp and before the body so when the amp turns on the volts pass through on the way out, is this an option?

Any help and adive is welcome. Like I said I dont need it but would like it for show.

Cheers All.




Replies:

Posted By: KPierson
Date Posted: April 03, 2009 at 2:01 PM

Why don't you just hook the voltage meter up to the ignition system?  That way, when the car is on it will be on.  The voltage difference between the ignition wire and the amp wire will be virtually non existant.

The other alternative would be to use a relay that is connected like this:

Pin 85 - ground
Pin 86 - switched 12vdc
Pin 30 - output to voltage meter
Pin 87 - Amp power wire

With this setup the voltage meter will only get power through the relay when the ignition is on - there will be no drain on the battery at all when the ignition is off.



-------------
Kevin Pierson




Posted By: haemphyst
Date Posted: April 03, 2009 at 3:30 PM
Are you sure it's a VOLT meter? The way you are describing it, it sounds ike a current meter...

Volt meters are paralleled with the load, and current meters are in series with the load.

When you turn your ignition off, does the reading go to zero, or does it remain on, reading somewhere in the 12-14 volt range?

-------------
It all reminds me of something that Molière once said to Guy de Maupassant at a café in Vienna: "That's nice. You should write it down."




Posted By: bemendozer
Date Posted: April 03, 2009 at 3:34 PM
no the meter still reads 12v when the ignition is off and it goes upto 14v when the car is running.





Print Page | Close Window