Re: How much electric current?

[Cheapass Ron Pieper <rapieper@yahoo.com>]

> 
> "Gerry Reichelt"  wrote:
> I believe the reasoning behind the trend of
> installing voltmeters instead of
> current meters is (without getting too technical, I
> guess it's too late
> already?) because voltmeters are (slightly) simpler
> to incorporate into the
> automotive electrical system. 

My view:  voltmeters are a LOT simpler to install in
an electrical system.  A lot cheaper too.  They are a
parallel device.  Ammeters are series devices.  Who
wants all their car's current running through a gauge
in the dash?  Not I...

And
> I, too, think the ammeter is the best instrument to
> monitor the health of
> your electrical system.

I agree wholeheartedly.  

One solution I've seen used in industrial motor drive
applications is a 1 ohm resistor in series with the
ground wire for that device.  A voltmeter is then used
to measure current by measuring the voltage drop
across a known resistance (for all I know this may be 
automotive ammeters work).  This resistor is a large
piece of expanded metal, able to carry huge current. 
Applying this to a car is a different animal
though...not only because of the open design of the
resistor, but where would it go?  There are lots of
ground points on a car, so catching all the current
won't work on the ground side.  I don't really want
the main 12V alternator feed coming into my dash
though...is there a happy solution?  Am I all wet?

BTW use BIG wire.

=====
Ron (Cheapass)
'87 16V, ("Victor"), '93 Cabby ("Teufelhasen")
ICQ 108845455

"One....two....one...two...three..."
-Lynyrd Skynyrd

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