Electrical question

[Garnet]

Hans at Hucky's has VDO meters here: http://www.bmwhucky.com/007562.html

A call to your local auto parts store may yield some less expensive results.

[Rob Frankham]

Hi Ken,

I'm sorry if my post was a little tactless but, sadly, it is very hard to be tactful when you have to tell someone they're just plain wrong... especially when you're trying to do it quickly and on the bosses time

My main concern was that 'painter' wasn't going to be put in the position of carrying out modifications to his wiring system only to find that the ammeter wouldn't show what he wants it to.

Once again, I apologise if my post caused you offence, it wasn't intended in that way .

Rob

[Rob Frankham]

Hi Painter,

To go on to voltmeters.

Compared to fitting an ammeter, fitting a voltmeter is a piece of cake.

All you need to do is take a wire from the negative terminal to ground and a second wire to a switched positive line. The positive line coloured green and there are similarly coloured terminals on the circuit board to make things easier. The voltmeter is a low current device (unlike the ammeter) so the wires do not need to be particularly thick.

This set up is more than adequate for most automotive purposes, however if you particularly want the meter to be very accurate it is best to take both wires back to the battery and use a relay to cut the current when the ignition is off, For most normal uses, this isn't really necessary.

The stock BMW meter is made by Motometer. It is a 2 inch instrument (most generic car instruments are) and will fit directly into the holes in a 'RT dash.The problem with these meters is that they are not especially reliable... well... perhaps thats a bit unfair, most ones we see are pretty old, but they do have a habit of wearing out the lower needle bearing which means they read anything but what they are supposed to. That being said, I had a VDO meter go exactly the same way a while ago. I think the moral is that a new meter from any reputable maker will probably give you quite good service but, with a second hand instrument, there is a fair chance it will fail.

In reality, you don't really need an ammeter or a voltmeter... they aren't basic to the operation of the machine... but they are useful for indicating when something is going wrong and trouble shooting when it does.

The best advice, if you do fit either sort of meter, is to make sure you are familiar with the 'normal' readings and, if they change, found out why.

Hope that helps

Rob

[painter.724]

Rob, Thanks very much. I have been doing a little more research on the subject of ammeter versus volt meter and now know that I have been pushed in the right direction. There is a very good article that I found when I googled it written by Snowbum. Looked on Ebay and found some BMW meters at ridiculous prices.Found a VDO on amazon that I am going to buy for $25.00 It is the same model that Snowbum mentioned in his article as a good replacement.I know that I do not need it , but since there was a hole in my fairing for a meter, I figured that I might as well make it functional Thanks Dave

[Chuey]

Hi Rob, Knowing Ken from the forum, I've picked up on his sense of humor and I'd say he was kidding in his first paragraph. That kind of stuff doesn't always come through in the printed word.

Chuey

[Major Softie]

Hi Rob, Knowing Ken from the forum, I've picked up on his sense of humor and I'd say he was kidding in his first paragraph. That kind of stuff doesn't always come through in the printed word.

Chuey

Well, I sort of read it as 1/2 kidding, like he was 1/2 serious, but kidding about actually taking it personally.

[Airbear]

Crikey Major, that's sounding like the 'glass half full' vs 'half empty' conundrum.

Ken in Oklahoma accused me of having a "mean streak" a while back. Since I prefer to think that I have a 'dark side' rather than a 'mean streak' I'm taking it personally and am never going to speak to the bastard again.

I'd like to stress right here and now that I am definitely kidding!

[DanielMc]

Here in the UK Rob is very much regarded as a national treasure - a bit like the Queen Mother, or David Icke.

He has over 500 friends on Facebook.

[chasbmw]

With the voltmeter fitted, always check it's reading compared to a multimeter reading at the battery, you might well find that the BMW meter is reading 1/2-1 Volt lower and adjust your mental map accordingly.

I wonder how many people have upgraded their charging systems as a result of not doing this?

[Major Softie]

Crikey Major, that's sounding like the 'glass half full' vs 'half empty' conundrum.

Ken in Oklahoma accused me of having a "mean streak" a while back. Since I prefer to think that I have a 'dark side' rather than a 'mean streak' I'm taking it personally and am never going to speak to the bastard again.

I'd like to stress right here and now that I am definitely kidding!

Now, I sort of read that as you're maybe 1/128 serious...