Troll Hunter Posted October 18, 2021 Share Posted October 18, 2021 Although specifically for a Defender, I think that this has general application. In the rebuild of my vehicle I am planning to upgrade some of the instruments. For example, I want to have a proper coolant temperature gauge and an engine oil pressure gauge. My question is about the alternator charge light on the dash. Is there any benefit in fitting a voltmeter or an ammeter, and if so, which? All views, experiences and factual information from anybody who understands electrons will be very much appreciated. Mike Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
western Posted October 18, 2021 Share Posted October 18, 2021 VDO Vision range of gauges are good & accurate, I have a voltmeter, oil temp gauge in psi, coolant temp in psi, the last 2 came from www.defender.com in USA, as VDO Europe only sell those in Bar, 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Anderzander Posted October 18, 2021 Share Posted October 18, 2021 People don’t tend to fit ammeters anymore - personally I’m not fussed about seeing if it’s keeping up with the current draw - I consider what the total potential draw of everything is and spec an alternator to match that. Perhaps it was more relevant with dynamo’s that gave a less consistent output? I find a voltmeter useful though - tells me the battery condition when the engine isn’t running and if the alternator is working when it is running. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
miketomcat Posted October 18, 2021 Share Posted October 18, 2021 Amp meters don't generally go high enough for modern systems unless you go for an electronic version (not normally guage sized). I have a standard volt guage in the 110 and a fake Carling with twin digital volt read out in the ibex. I wouldn't classifie either as accurate but comparatively you get an idea if something is amiss. Mike 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Troll Hunter Posted October 18, 2021 Author Share Posted October 18, 2021 (edited) Thank you, guys, I've got the info and answer that I needed. A volt meter it will be, and I'll pass on your hybrid gauges😕 thank you, western. Mike Edited October 18, 2021 by Troll Hunter typo 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
L19MUD Posted October 18, 2021 Share Posted October 18, 2021 This other thread may be of interest if you want to create some space for those new gauges Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
monkie Posted October 18, 2021 Share Posted October 18, 2021 I fitted Stack guages (oil pressure, oil temp, volt meter, EGT, boost pressure and coolant temp) earlier in the year and I have to say I'm impressed. I can actually read the guages in the dark and the oil pressure gauge saved my engine from destruction as per my 200Tdi rebuild disaster thread. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Anderzander Posted October 18, 2021 Share Posted October 18, 2021 Stack are good kit. I had them on motorcycles- and they were top drawer imo. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stellaghost Posted October 18, 2021 Share Posted October 18, 2021 15 minutes ago, Anderzander said: I had them on motorcycles RD500, blast from the past that, did you do the conversions to different frames regards Stephen Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Anderzander Posted October 18, 2021 Share Posted October 18, 2021 Yes - though I had other folk do the ally welding. I’m about to make a tiny step forward on one (the NS) - and send the mag wheels off to be checked and refinished. I’ll be too scared to ride when it’s done - but hey 😂 who cares ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
missingsid Posted October 19, 2021 Share Posted October 19, 2021 When in my 20s a mate gave me a lift home in the rain on his RD400 coffin tank. We spent most of the time pushing it once the metal shrouded plug caps got wet! Not all Jap ideas work! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snagger Posted October 19, 2021 Share Posted October 19, 2021 Just to iterate what has been said before, ammeters aren’t very useful compared to voltmeters - it’s akin to having a fuel flow meter instead of a fuel quantity gauge. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
monkie Posted October 19, 2021 Share Posted October 19, 2021 2 hours ago, Snagger said: Just to iterate what has been said before, ammeters aren’t very useful compared to voltmeters - it’s akin to having a fuel flow meter instead of a fuel quantity gauge. I like that comparison 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
reb78 Posted October 19, 2021 Share Posted October 19, 2021 3 hours ago, Snagger said: Just to iterate what has been said before, ammeters aren’t very useful compared to voltmeters - it’s akin to having a fuel flow meter instead of a fuel quantity gauge. BUT it would allow you to recreate the scene from Apollo 13 where you don't come back to earth if you go over a certain current draw?! (On a serious note, it would be interesting to see what things are actually drawing). 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Anderzander Posted October 19, 2021 Share Posted October 19, 2021 You’d only be able to see what things were drawing if you had it in individual circuits though - and that’s a multimeter job. Though I know Ralph likes his gauges - if he had an ammeter for every circuit that would really take him to the next level 🤔😂 Mock up of 110 centre console 😂 2 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
western Posted October 19, 2021 Share Posted October 19, 2021 no room for a dash like that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
landroversforever Posted October 19, 2021 Share Posted October 19, 2021 1 hour ago, western said: no room for a dash like that. You've got the rest of the roof Ralph! Or put the gauges out on the bonnet - Drag racing style Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mo Murphy Posted October 19, 2021 Share Posted October 19, 2021 2 hours ago, western said: no room for a dash like that. Yes Ralph, don't be so dismissive ! Where there's a will there's a way 🤣 Mo Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
western Posted October 19, 2021 Share Posted October 19, 2021 I won't be able to see where I'm going with all that on the bonnet. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Escape Posted October 19, 2021 Share Posted October 19, 2021 5 hours ago, western said: I won't be able to see where I'm going with all that on the bonnet. Yes, but you'd have enough info to drive by instruments only. 🙂 1 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Troll Hunter Posted October 25, 2021 Author Share Posted October 25, 2021 I like the VDO Vision range of gauges, but it seems as if they currently only supply mechanical versions for oil pressure and coolant temperature on this side of the pond. Are electrical versions available in Europe? Are your versions mechanical or electrical, western? Mike Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Troll Hunter Posted October 25, 2021 Author Share Posted October 25, 2021 Sorry, I missed an important detail. Western, I asked about your gauges because I'd just read this old thread: Mike Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
miketomcat Posted October 25, 2021 Share Posted October 25, 2021 Something to watch especially with VDO gauges is there is a US and a European range. They work the opposite way so you may need to change the sender as well. Mike Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
western Posted October 25, 2021 Share Posted October 25, 2021 10 hours ago, Troll Hunter said: I like the VDO Vision range of gauges, but it seems as if they currently only supply mechanical versions for oil pressure and coolant temperature on this side of the pond. Are electrical versions available in Europe? Are your versions mechanical or electrical, western? Mike All my VDO gauges except boost are electrically driven. As noted above by miketomcat make sure you get the matching senders. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mo Murphy Posted October 25, 2021 Share Posted October 25, 2021 My VDO Vision coolant temp and rev counter are electrical but my boost gauge is mechanical (that took some finding at the time ! ) Euro market gauges tend to be in °C and bar, US in °F and PSI. Mo Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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