Has anybody installed a ammeter in their trucks?

Holy shizzle first pic, now it makes sense.

 

Yeah that’s why I’d like a good amp meter next to the battery

 

The ammeter just needs to be in series on what ever circuit you want to monitor. It measures the current going through the shunt. Current that takes another path is not measured. If there is a common point between all those grounds and the batt, use that, but avoid cuting into orig ground due to starting amps. FYI. Ammeter can go on positive or negative wires. Just safer on neg.

 

interesting mention about volt meters, on the offshore boats we all switched to amp meters, that have shunts and read amps out and in. Modern Lithium batteries don't have a voltage drop until they are almost dead so voltage means nothing anymore.

https://www.cruisingworld.com/gear/bank-withdrawl-0/

 

are U tryin to determine amps used

amps left

not sure what U want to measure

Ur photos show voltage not amps

sometimes the amps can be drawn down whereby the alternator will take an inordinate amount o time

to replace amps used by accessories ......more typically after starting

some dont take the time for full recovery resulting in the battery actually operating

at 60.....70.....80%

far below its capacity

short frequent trips after work is typical while a moderate hiway trip will allow full charge

sitting running a stereo & other devices will pull a batt down

a short ride home will not suffice to replace what the accessories & starting draw down

a volt meter will show good volts

whereas the batt will be far below capacity

 

I’m wanting to measure amps flowing when truck is running with everything on. Amps being used I guess you’d say

 

Yes I agree and that’s why I want the amp meter hooked up correctly

 

You make it sound so easy lol you’re gonna have me trying this again tonight after I’d decided to put it away

 

Ok so it’ll only read -100A to 100A so I won’t be able to measure all amps being used with it installed

 

You have to decide if you want to install it as a load meter or an ammeter. (the shunt cuts the wire going from the alternator to the fuse box, or cuts the wire going from the battery to the fuses)

In aviation terms, the ammeter measures current going into or out of the battery. The load meter measures the output of the alternator.
The ammeter should be approximately zero when driving, and will show if the battery is charging or discharging (can be positive or negative).
The load meter will not be zero when driving (will only be positive).

On this truck, I am not sure which is most recommended. Each has its own advantages and disadvantages and failure modes and effects.

 

From Blue Sea.
https://www.bluesea.com/support/articles/Metering/552/Sizing_a_Shunt_to_a_DC_Ammeter

 

Could you relocate your grounds to a distribution block and have one larger short wire from battery and distribution block and use a Hall effect amp sensor? Could probably handle starting currents since the current wouldn’t be flowing through the sensor but rather the wire. Might loose bi-directional readings tho...

 

@Unchained 5150 what mount are you using for your compressor in that location?

 

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