Re: Battery Charging Voltage
 

I'll type slower for ya this time, and maybe you'll get it...

I didn't say a volt meter wasn't useful. I said they are just two different
ways of determining the "health" of the charging system. I'd actually like to
have both. However, if I had to choose one or the other, I'd prefer an ammeter
because a volt meter doesn't tell you DIRECTION or AMOUNT of current flow.

If you really like your volt meter, you have my permission to keep it.



In message <421C9620.E7FC1D7@sympatico.ca>, "Mike Romain" wrote:

>Gee, that's funny, my volt meters must be psychic or something.
>
>I can always tell the state of my charging system by knowing where my
>voltage gauge sits during 'normal' operations. When it starts
>fluctuating out of the normal, according to how, I know what to check.
>It seems pretty easy. If the gauge didn't reflect the operation, then
>the gauge is useless and you may as well have one idiot light only.
>
>I find the volts reflect the charge state really well.
>
>Mike
>86/00 CJ7 Laredo, 33x9.5 BFG Muds, 'glass nose to tail in '00
>88 Cherokee 235 BFG AT's
>
>bllsht wrote:
>>
>> In message <X1NSd.19245$Tt.11615@fed1read05>, "Jerry Bransford" wrote:
>>
>> >Exactly, your alternator-equipped Jeep uses a voltmeter... since an amp
>> >meter is not needed for an alternator equipped vehicle like it is for
>> >one that has a generator like hasn't been used in many years.
>>
>> An amp meter isn't needed for an alternator equipped vehicle??? Where do you
>> get this crap? Ammeters were used for many years after alternators replaced
>> generators. They are just two different ways of determining the "health" of the
>> charging/starting system. In fact, testing the system includes using BOTH.
>>
>> While a volt meter will tell you what system voltage is, an ammeter is the only
>> way to KNOW whether your battery is being charged or discharged, and at what
>> rate. The switch to voltmeters from ammeters probably has more to do with
>> trying to avoid confusing or alarming those who are easily confused. Like you
>> seem to be.
>>
>> Ammeters constantly fluctuate with electrical system loads, while voltmeters
>> stay steady unless something is seriously wrong. People don't like seeing their
>> gauges fluctuate.
>>
>> >
>> >Joe Carroll wrote:
>> >> On Tue, 22 Feb 2005 12:28:42 -0800, L.W.(ßill) ------ III
>> >> <----------@cox.net> wrote:
>> >>
>> >>
>> >>> Real Jeeps come stock with Amp gauges, like ALL Hod Rodders have,
>> >>>and anyone whom wants to know what's happening under their hood:
>> >>
>> >>
>> >> Damn, you mean thats a voltmeter and not an amp gauge on my 2k-tj?
>> >>
>> >> Joe Carroll
>> >> 2K-TJ
>> >>
>> >> There are some simple truths...And the dogs know what they are."
>> >> Joseph Duemer

Re: Battery Charging Voltage
 

May be that. Or it may be in response to it.



In message <421CEB0D.87D7DE93@cox.net>, "L.W." wrote:

> It's apart of the deliberate dumbing down of America.
> God Bless America, ßill O|||||||O
>mailto:-------------------- http://www.----------.com/
>
>bllsht wrote:
>>
>> An amp meter isn't needed for an alternator equipped vehicle??? Where do you
>> get this crap? Ammeters were used for many years after alternators replaced
>> generators. They are just two different ways of determining the "health" of the
>> charging/starting system. In fact, testing the system includes using BOTH.
>>
>> While a volt meter will tell you what system voltage is, an ammeter is the only
>> way to KNOW whether your battery is being charged or discharged, and at what
>> rate. The switch to voltmeters from ammeters probably has more to do with
>> trying to avoid confusing or alarming those who are easily confused. Like you
>> seem to be.
>>
>> Ammeters constantly fluctuate with electrical system loads, while voltmeters
>> stay steady unless something is seriously wrong. People don't like seeing their
>> gauges fluctuate.

Re: Battery Charging Voltage
 

May be that. Or it may be in response to it.



In message <421CEB0D.87D7DE93@cox.net>, "L.W." wrote:

> It's apart of the deliberate dumbing down of America.
> God Bless America, ßill O|||||||O
>mailto:-------------------- http://www.----------.com/
>
>bllsht wrote:
>>
>> An amp meter isn't needed for an alternator equipped vehicle??? Where do you
>> get this crap? Ammeters were used for many years after alternators replaced
>> generators. They are just two different ways of determining the "health" of the
>> charging/starting system. In fact, testing the system includes using BOTH.
>>
>> While a volt meter will tell you what system voltage is, an ammeter is the only
>> way to KNOW whether your battery is being charged or discharged, and at what
>> rate. The switch to voltmeters from ammeters probably has more to do with
>> trying to avoid confusing or alarming those who are easily confused. Like you
>> seem to be.
>>
>> Ammeters constantly fluctuate with electrical system loads, while voltmeters
>> stay steady unless something is seriously wrong. People don't like seeing their
>> gauges fluctuate.

Re: Battery Charging Voltage
 

May be that. Or it may be in response to it.



In message <421CEB0D.87D7DE93@cox.net>, "L.W." wrote:

> It's apart of the deliberate dumbing down of America.
> God Bless America, ßill O|||||||O
>mailto:-------------------- http://www.----------.com/
>
>bllsht wrote:
>>
>> An amp meter isn't needed for an alternator equipped vehicle??? Where do you
>> get this crap? Ammeters were used for many years after alternators replaced
>> generators. They are just two different ways of determining the "health" of the
>> charging/starting system. In fact, testing the system includes using BOTH.
>>
>> While a volt meter will tell you what system voltage is, an ammeter is the only
>> way to KNOW whether your battery is being charged or discharged, and at what
>> rate. The switch to voltmeters from ammeters probably has more to do with
>> trying to avoid confusing or alarming those who are easily confused. Like you
>> seem to be.
>>
>> Ammeters constantly fluctuate with electrical system loads, while voltmeters
>> stay steady unless something is seriously wrong. People don't like seeing their
>> gauges fluctuate.

Re: Battery Charging Voltage
 

On Wed, 23 Feb 2005, bllsht wrote:

> While a volt meter will tell you what system voltage is, an ammeter is
> the only way to KNOW whether your battery is being charged or
> discharged, and at what rate. The switch to voltmeters from ammeters
> probably has more to do with trying to avoid confusing or alarming those
> who are easily confused. Like you seem to be.

I always figured that the switch from ammeters to voltmeters had more to
do with saving money on a dozen feet of heavy gage copper wire.

Re: Battery Charging Voltage
 

On Wed, 23 Feb 2005, bllsht wrote:

> While a volt meter will tell you what system voltage is, an ammeter is
> the only way to KNOW whether your battery is being charged or
> discharged, and at what rate. The switch to voltmeters from ammeters
> probably has more to do with trying to avoid confusing or alarming those
> who are easily confused. Like you seem to be.

I always figured that the switch from ammeters to voltmeters had more to
do with saving money on a dozen feet of heavy gage copper wire.

Re: Battery Charging Voltage
 

On Wed, 23 Feb 2005, bllsht wrote:

> While a volt meter will tell you what system voltage is, an ammeter is
> the only way to KNOW whether your battery is being charged or
> discharged, and at what rate. The switch to voltmeters from ammeters
> probably has more to do with trying to avoid confusing or alarming those
> who are easily confused. Like you seem to be.

I always figured that the switch from ammeters to voltmeters had more to
do with saving money on a dozen feet of heavy gage copper wire.

Re: Battery Charging Voltage
 

While proper instruments are nice to have, it isn't rocket science. If my
Cherokee volt meter is reading 12 volts instead of 14 then I know that the
belt is slipping and the alternator isn't charging the battery.

Of course, I'll probably notice that the signal flasher has slowed, too.



On Wed, 23 Feb 2005, popeyeball wrote:

> Using a voltmeter, wether on the dash or independant of the vehicle,
> can be an 'iffy' situation. A person who pays close attention to their
> dash voltmeter behavior would certainly know the 'history' of what is
> going on (as in Dave's case)and could be useful. Using a dash
> voltmeter, or any voltmeter independant of the car, I personally would
> not use. A charge indicator on a battery charging unit measures AMPs
> as in Cranking Power, wether by a meter or lamp, is a better indicator.
>
> When you buy a battery you do not ask if it is 12 volts - you look for
> the correct size & Cranking Power for your vehicle. The old and still
> effective way to measure your battery to determine if it will turn over
> your engine (and not just turn on the lights) is by using a hydrometer
> which measures the batteries (or it's electrolytes) specific gravity
> which will indicate it's ability to crank your engine. (Gosh, I hope I
> remembered all that the right way, but I think it's close.)
> FYI - Volts are measured in parrallel, amps are measured in series.
> Steve
>
>

--
"I defer to your plainly more vivid memories of topless women with
whips....r"
R. H. Draney recalls AFU in the Good Old Days.

Re: Battery Charging Voltage
 

While proper instruments are nice to have, it isn't rocket science. If my
Cherokee volt meter is reading 12 volts instead of 14 then I know that the
belt is slipping and the alternator isn't charging the battery.

Of course, I'll probably notice that the signal flasher has slowed, too.



On Wed, 23 Feb 2005, popeyeball wrote:

> Using a voltmeter, wether on the dash or independant of the vehicle,
> can be an 'iffy' situation. A person who pays close attention to their
> dash voltmeter behavior would certainly know the 'history' of what is
> going on (as in Dave's case)and could be useful. Using a dash
> voltmeter, or any voltmeter independant of the car, I personally would
> not use. A charge indicator on a battery charging unit measures AMPs
> as in Cranking Power, wether by a meter or lamp, is a better indicator.
>
> When you buy a battery you do not ask if it is 12 volts - you look for
> the correct size & Cranking Power for your vehicle. The old and still
> effective way to measure your battery to determine if it will turn over
> your engine (and not just turn on the lights) is by using a hydrometer
> which measures the batteries (or it's electrolytes) specific gravity
> which will indicate it's ability to crank your engine. (Gosh, I hope I
> remembered all that the right way, but I think it's close.)
> FYI - Volts are measured in parrallel, amps are measured in series.
> Steve
>
>

--
"I defer to your plainly more vivid memories of topless women with
whips....r"
R. H. Draney recalls AFU in the Good Old Days.

Re: Battery Charging Voltage
 

While proper instruments are nice to have, it isn't rocket science. If my
Cherokee volt meter is reading 12 volts instead of 14 then I know that the
belt is slipping and the alternator isn't charging the battery.

Of course, I'll probably notice that the signal flasher has slowed, too.



On Wed, 23 Feb 2005, popeyeball wrote:

> Using a voltmeter, wether on the dash or independant of the vehicle,
> can be an 'iffy' situation. A person who pays close attention to their
> dash voltmeter behavior would certainly know the 'history' of what is
> going on (as in Dave's case)and could be useful. Using a dash
> voltmeter, or any voltmeter independant of the car, I personally would
> not use. A charge indicator on a battery charging unit measures AMPs
> as in Cranking Power, wether by a meter or lamp, is a better indicator.
>
> When you buy a battery you do not ask if it is 12 volts - you look for
> the correct size & Cranking Power for your vehicle. The old and still
> effective way to measure your battery to determine if it will turn over
> your engine (and not just turn on the lights) is by using a hydrometer
> which measures the batteries (or it's electrolytes) specific gravity
> which will indicate it's ability to crank your engine. (Gosh, I hope I
> remembered all that the right way, but I think it's close.)
> FYI - Volts are measured in parrallel, amps are measured in series.
> Steve
>
>

--
"I defer to your plainly more vivid memories of topless women with
whips....r"
R. H. Draney recalls AFU in the Good Old Days.