next »

[Jim G]

Hi all

I'm doing the alternator conversion and want to replace my ammeter with a voltmeter.

Question - what do I do with the brown and brown/white wires used for the ammeter? Can I remove them completely, join together or what?

Just don't want to set fire to the dash...

Thanks in advance


Jim
64 TR4

[charley fitch]

I put a wire nut on them and isolated them. I recall that I joined them together in the wire nut.
While you are doing this I will relate something that I learned in this conversion.  I found a green wire under the dash and "T"ed off of it for the input to the voltmeter.  I now notice that I am showing a low voltage whenever I use the headlights or blower motor.  I checked this out at the battery and found that the alternator is not the problem.  The problem is where I am getting my voltage from to input to the voltmeter.  So far I have not tried to rewire the voltmeter to a better location.  But I do know why the voltmeter is reading low at times.
Maybe somebody else will write in and suggest a better place for a input feed to the voltmeter.
Charley fitch 

[Jim G]

Charley - I picked up from the brake light switch and don't have a problem.

Jim

[charley fitch]

I am presently building another TR4 and am again using a voltmeter.  I loked at the wiring chart and have decided to use a light green wire from the ignition switch.  It will be a month or so before I put any juice into the system.  Am hoping that  one will work okay.
  If it does not then I will look for the one you recommeded Jim.

Thanks,
Charley

[TR3driver]

That is the best place for it, but don't be surprised if it still reads slightly lower than the battery/alternator.  With the alternator connected directly to the battery (starter solenoid), you are always going to measure battery voltage less whatever voltage drop there is in the wiring, switch contacts, etc.

Just one of the many reasons I prefer an ammeter 

[charley fitch]

Thanks Randall, I appreciate your thoughts.
Charley