Has anybody installed a ammeter in their trucks?

I’m trying to install one I bought from blue sea systems with shunt and was wondering if anybody has one of these or similar installed? If so could you show me how you wired it? I’d like it to be able to measure all current throughout my truck if possible Thanks

 

I put this in the front where the 12v sockets are. And one in the rear console with 2 usb outlets

 

Sweet yeah I just installed this in the bed but the ammeter is quite a bit more complicated to me with shunt wiring to get full current reading throughout system. I also installed a dual usb for rear behind middle console as well. Nice to have them in the truck for sure unchained

 

I also have a Panel in the bed that my fridge and second battery is hooked up to. And my dual battery monitor is in the cab as well

 

Ammeters are really Ancient Technology. Dodge held onto them forever (After Chevy/Ford gave up on those) and there was always probs with them (Dodge ... And back in the days when a 35 amp alternator was 'standard') , especially as you had to really maintain the electrical system. A volt meter, which is next to no strain on the system, should tell you what you need to know. Especially nowdays when you have 100-120 amp alternators. Hope that helps.

 

One way to measure total amps form the veh is to put a shunt between neg cable and battery. But the starter may use 500-600 amps for few seconds and shunts that big are expensive. Better way is to do it is with simple meter that has the Hall effect sensor you put around the negative cable of the battery. I'd link to one on A M A z o n but don't want TW changing the link and making money off it. You could get away with say a 200amp one this way. It would show over load on starting but wont fry since no current is flowing through it. Where as the shunt type has to handle the full load of what ever the battery is powering.

 

This ammeter is what I’m trying to install. I know the needle ones are ancient but this one right beside my voltmeter(I have 2 voltmeters installed) I think will be helpful for all the stuff throughout mg system. It comes with its own shunt

 

@Unchained 5150 which dual battery kit are you using? Nice use of the bed storage back there too btw man

 

IBS is my system and it works flawlessly.

 

I’ve got 1/0 augmented grounds throughout the truck from both amps to both grounding spots under each seat through the firewall then ran 4 gauge underneath the truck from battery neg to alt neg starter neg transmission then grounded on oem bolts underneath until you get to the back of the truck bed where my switch panel and second aux fuse block is

 

You could jump in behind the fuse block to monitor everything from the fuse block out, but 100A isnt enough if your plan was to monitor everything from the battery out. Because of the starter amps. IF there was way to bypass the shunt during starter activation...hmmm..

 

That’s sweeet! I’m thinking about getting a dual battery setup soon. Just got my northstar/odyssey group 31 pro in and installing it this weekend if my hold down shows up tomorrow. I’ve been looking at red arc stuff but it’s pricey for what my needs are. May not actually even need dual battery with new northstar but he’ll I’m addicted to mods now

 

I have 2 Northstar 27F's

 

Nice are you 3rd gen?

 

Yes! May be my issue... damnit so can I install this ammeter safely and neatly without shunt involved?

 

A little off topic, but why do you care if the website you're using for free makes a couple pennies off an Amazon link in order to keep the website free to use and without annoying ads?

 

Here is a visual of a lot of my grounds throughout. Is it gonna be necessary to jumper ammeter to all these points with or without shunt? Also have another small blue sea fuse block pos and neg around the middle of underchassis driver side. Yes I know my battery needs security... I’ve got a hold down kit coming any day now

 

I couldn’t care less? I don’t care one bit