Ameter Install

[natemoen]

So I am going to install a ameter in the fairing in my ever quest to have excess amounts of information that I can do nothing about.

My plan is to run the main wire just past the starter up to the meter and then back (that is correct isn't it?). I plan to put a new 3 wire plug in the fairing that will serve to run the 2 wire for the meter and then an extra ground wire. Sound reasonable and correct?

My question, what guage wire should I run? 4, 6, 8?

[650mark]

your "quest to have excess amounts of info about which you can do nothing"

(sounds just like me)

[natemoen]

Some people get all annoyed when you put gauges on and just always argue "its not like you can do anything about it so what is the point of putting it on there" or "what are you even going to do with that information" or "if you don't know what it is supposed to be then how can you determine if there is a problem"

That's what I mean by that phrase.

[CaptonZap]

Normally, normal people do not gauge the starter current, and therefore would only gauge the current flowing in the small red wire connected to the starter solenoid that has the large red wire from the battery connected to it.
Use the next size larger wire to allow for the added distance that the current has to flow. Or, see if your gauge is set up for a shunt, which would only require light gauge wire running to the gauge, since it is only measuring voltage drop across the shunt, and has virtually no current in the gauge loop.
The gauge maker should have the instructions well documented, and when all else fails, read the directions.

CZ

[bikerphil]

I ran one for a while, I used 10 or 12 ga. wire. I hooked the 2 ammeter wires between the top solenoid terminal (leaving the battery + cable) and the bunch of wires with the eyelet that were hooked to that terminal, not measuring the starter current. Ran the wires in it's own sheathing under the tank and up with the other harness up towards the headlight bucket.

[natemoen]

CZ, are you implying I am not normal?

I didn't plan on gauging the starter current. I did think I would have to use roughly the same size wire coming out of the solenoid though.

Makes it a little easier though if all I need to deal with is that red wire. Way easier to find bulkhead connectors for that rather than what I was thinking!

Who in their right mind would read directions...........

[crazy steve]

I'd use a minimum of #12, 10 would be better. One thing to remember is the wire on these isn't AWG, but metric so the sizes don't exactly correspond.

[natemoen]

I'd use a minimum of #12, 10 would be better. One thing to remember is the wire on these isn't AWG, but metric so the sizes don't exactly correspond.

Yeah, but I certainly don't care enough to go out and buy special metric wire just for this bike!

[MPittma100]

Ammeter

Might be better off installing a volt meter instead. Ammeter is hard to get a good read from unless you put it in the battery plus cable.

[Crusty Snippets]

Amp meter

Just a couple of thoughts.
If the amp meter quits anything down stream will not work.
On the sail boat I use one meter to measure usage or drain on the battery.
I use another to measure solar panel input.
I use a volt meter as well which is also critical.
The battery /s get charged if one drops to 12.25 volts or less.
But for smaller applications like my 41 Ford tractor, the amp meter can measure drain or usage ( negative when I turn the key or lights on ) then positive when I start the engine.
A dim head light could let you know of a problem on the bike, and or a slow crank from the starter motor.
The early Ford cars had an amp meter with a sort of cup / hook piece on the back about one inch long. The hot wyre from the ignition ran through this piece and measured the amps as they passed by.
These were real slick and easy to install. The wyre was a snug fit into this channel. And if the meter quit it would not make the vehicle quit.
Unkle Crusty

[natemoen]

Might be better off installing a volt meter instead. Ammeter is hard to get a good read from unless you put it in the battery plus cable.

There is a volt meter as well already.

Volt Meter
Oil Temp
Oil Pressure
Amp Meter

[crazy steve]

Ammeters went out of style, and for good reasons. Nearly all aftermarket units required you to run the entire electrical load (less the starter) through the meter, and as was pointed out, a gauge failure killed the vehicle and if you were lucky no fire ensued...

The inductive units (like Ford used) were safer but not all that accurate. Ford tried shunt gauges, but those seemed to have a pretty high failure rate too. A voltmeter will tell you everything you need to know.

But multiple gauge do look impressive....

[natemoen]

Ammeters went out of style, and for good reasons. Nearly all aftermarket units required you to run the entire electrical load (less the starter) through the meter, and as was pointed out, a gauge failure killed the vehicle and if you were lucky no fire ensued...

The inductive units (like Ford used) were safer but not all that accurate. Ford tried shunt gauges, but those seemed to have a pretty high failure rate too. A voltmeter will tell you everything you need to know.

But multiple gauge do look impressive....

They tell you such different information though!

But yeah, they do look cool!

[natemoen]

Ok so I am here looking at this crap today, I am assuming that the red wire you are all talking about is the solid red wire connected to the same terminal on the solinoid as the battery cable?

[bikerphil]

Yes, you want to run your ammeter in series between that accessory wire and the battery terminal on the solenoid.