alternator and amp vs. volt meter

My personal preference (even though mine still has the amp meter) is the volt meter.

And this may sound crazy but..... whenever I've been out with my "other hobby area...aka offshore boats"....which have more gauges than I care to mention (check my webpage, photos, kaamacat, helm and see what I mean).........99% of the time if the engines are running strange I can get alot more immediate information from volts than amps. If I dont see the VMeter up at least above 13-13.5, thats almost telling me the alternator/regulator is not working correctly. Right at 12v and the engine runs like crap.

The ampmeter I think is more subjective.....Sure if I flip something on it will head towards the negative and having it a shade to the + side is also a good indicator.........and Im saying this because you put a 100amp in there.

My vote.....Volt Meter


Bob

I added the powermaster 140 amp alternator ($145) and installed a volt gauge. Have more than enough power with everything on.
The other reason I went to this set up is that I have heard stories that there are some clauses in insurance policies that don't cover fire damage if a amp meter is the cause. Myth or fact ...I don't know but did not want to take the chance.

I went with the LED Digital Volt Meter, but left the Amp Gauge in it's original position. You'll Know you are charging(the purpose of an Amp gauge)because the Voltage will be Over 12.5 and will climb with an increase in RPM's. And then the Volt Gauge Also shows the "Health" of the Battery and the entire electrical sysrem. I have the 100 Amp Alternator from Hall Pantera; I believe it is one of the best you can purchase. Getting rid of the external regulator and changing to both an internal regulator AND cooling fan is a great Update to the system. Just Don't forget to 'Jumper' the GEN light in the Speedometer,(shouldn't it have read 'ALT') LOL. Marlin.

[This message has been edited by MARLIN JACK (edited 06-25-2004).]

Marlin..........question........ Did you find with the "1 wire" alternator that you had to run up to about 1500, just 1x after starting the car to get the "volts" to kick-in and excite it?

Hello Kaamakat, I have to apologize, my memory must be starting to fail me!! It just struck me when you mentioned the 'One Wire'. I did NOT purchase the alternator I discribed from P.I. Motosports. I DID purchase it from Hall Pantera. So Sorry! The one from Hall has four wires to it, (one is the main black from the amp gauge) the other 3, ending in 2 plugs, must be wired in place of the 'Old' regulator that is clipped out of curcuit, following very explicit instructions that are NOT easy to follow unless you read them exactly word for word! And then they don't tell you until your Amp gauge does not show a charge, and you have telephoned them; that you must eliminate the 'gen' light and just connect the 2 wires together. After that; full charging and No other problems. As far as the 1 wire, I have ONLY been TOLD that you must run it up to 1500-2000 RPM to "initiate" or "Excite' it. But I have never had the experience to do so. Sorry about the mix-up. Regards, Marlin.

[This message has been edited by MARLIN JACK (edited 06-25-2004).]

Take a look at the following site: they have some really helpful info about one wire alt.
http://www.powermastermotorsports.com/faq_s_-_chrome_alternators.html