center zero ammeter
Printed From: the12volt.com
Forum Name: Vehicle Wiring Information & File Requests
Forum Discription: Request Car Alarm, Car Stereo, Cruise Control, Remote Starter, Navigation, Mobile Video, and Other Vehicle Specific Wiring Info, Manuals, Tech Tips
URL: https://www.the12volt.com/installbay/forum_posts.asp?tid=115777
Printed Date: May 16, 2025 at 8:09 PM
Topic: center zero ammeter
Posted By: falcon5nz
Subject: center zero ammeter
Date Posted: August 20, 2009 at 12:11 AM
G'day. I do a wee bit of electrical installation for mates. I have a Trisco G1101 Center-Zero ammeter, as does a mate. My question is this: The instructions for it have 3 different methods for installation-
1 For cars with magnetic starter switch
2 For cars with a seperate, or horn relay, mounted junction terminal
3 For cars with the starter solenoid mounted directly on the starter
Which set do I use for a 1989 Nissan Sentra and a 1996 Mazda Lantis? I'm guessing no. 3 for my Sentra? Also what gauge wire? Will 10 be ok or do I need to go to 12?
Cheers
Falcon
Replies:
Posted By: i am an idiot
Date Posted: August 20, 2009 at 6:06 AM
We need more info on the connecting of the device. Does it connect between the alternator and the battery? You are going in the wrong direction with your wire. 10 Ga. is a larger wire than 12 Ga. Depending on the size of the wire that it is to be connected in series with, you need a wire at least the size of that wire. Is there a remote shunt, or do you have to run the large wires to the meter itself? A picture or link to the meter would help us a lot. ------------- Let's Go Brandon Brown. Congratulations on your first Xfinity Series Win. LGBFJB
Posted By: falcon5nz
Date Posted: August 20, 2009 at 7:02 AM
Heres a link to an auction site with a pic of the unit. It doesn't say anything about a shunt but says "To install the ammeter correctly requires that all the added wiring be the same gauge or larger as the wire originally found on the car(typically #10 or #12 AWG" This makes me think it has an internal shunt as it requires same gauge. Judgeing by the diagram method no 1 is in series with starter, no 2 is in series with horn relay and no 3 is in series with starter
Posted By: i am an idiot
Date Posted: August 25, 2009 at 10:42 PM
I would not connect it in series with the starter. What are you trying to monitor, The output of the alternator, or powe concumed by an amplifier?
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Let's Go Brandon Brown. Congratulations on your first Xfinity Series Win. LGBFJB
Posted By: falcon5nz
Date Posted: August 25, 2009 at 11:34 PM
In the Lantis I want to be meausuring consumption of amp and charge of battery. In Sentra I want to measure charge/discharge of battery.
Posted By: i am an idiot
Date Posted: August 26, 2009 at 8:52 PM
In both cases, between the battery and the alternator will be the best spot. However 60 amps is probably lower than the alternator is rated at. If you see that the meter is consistently running near the edge of it's limit, you may need to add a jumper wire across the shunt of the meter, and just use it as a reference so you will know if it is charging or not. The jumper will make the meter inaccurate. But it will be better than melting the shunt out of the meter.
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Let's Go Brandon Brown. Congratulations on your first Xfinity Series Win. LGBFJB
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