Help with an ammeter for a box

[Ivor Hawkins]

morning all, I’m not brilliant with electrics so I need to ask for your help please.

The original ammeter pictured on the right has a damaged rim and broken glass but the one on the left is in good shape but is an inductive one (I think) the question is, can I use it and would anyone know how?

I’m guessing the wire loops through the hoop and goes to the dash lamp like the original.

   

["Slack Alice" Simon]

I have never used one, I think you are right and a single turn of wire goes through the hole.

Easy enough to try with an odd bit of extra wire, without fitting to the dash.

[Ruairidh Dunford]

You are correct Ivor, loop through and then connect as normal.

[Ivor Hawkins]

Thanks fellas, I can get the dash wired up now, that’s great

[Pearls not a Singer]

The induction type were fitted to Rubies and are far safer as there is less risk of a detached wire causing a short.

Joining  the ends of the existing wires provides a  good opportunity to insert a 20amp inline fuse into the circuit.

Before you fit it to the car, either experiment with a jury rig or find a reliable source for the correct orientation of the loop so that charge/discharge are on the correct scale

Hope this helps

[Ivor Hawkins]

Thanks David, I knew I’d seen this type before and as my box saloon is a car for driving, I don’t mind the wrong gauge...I wondered whether not there was a right and a wrong way to run the loop, I’m not sure how I’ll jury rig something, I think I’ll just have to guess and if it goes the wrong way, take the dash out again and change it!

[David Cochrane]

David's suggestion of fitting a 20A fuse is very sensible - hopefully that will blow (c.50p) rather than your expensive ammeter. It's best to fit the fuse fairly close to the battery.

[Ivor Hawkins]

Thanks for the reassurance David, I’ll fit a fuse as suggested (now my tiny brain has worked out what it was supposed to be protecting!)

[David Cochrane]

If you get a short-circuit somewhere in your wiring, the weakest link will break. Often this is your ammeter, which also happens to be the most expensive part of the circuit... That's why I frequently advise people to fit a fuse between the battery and the ammeter.