amp gauge with high output alt?, will it work? HELP! Options

[mgnt232]

My alternator puts out 150 amps at idle and 225-250 max. I want to get a amp gauge (52mm) to go on my A-Pillar, but they only go up to 60 amps. Do you think it will just stay at 60? or will it burn out the gauge? I think it would be cool to see it maxed out all the time lol. tell me what you guys think, thanks-
mechman alt.

[lagos]

Where did you get this alternator from? Thats a lot of amperage for an alt.

[schmooot]

ya 150A sounds like a bit much........none of the fuses or wire gauges in the car can handle near that much

[mgnt232]

it is alot, its a mechman alternator, it was made for the 7afe. love it no more dimming lights

Where did you get this alternator from? Thats a lot of amperage for an alt.

[mgnt232]

yeah its alot, its a mechman alternator, it was made specifically for the 7afe. The power all goes to the 3 battery's. all 1/0 gauge with inline fuses. Kinetik audio batteries, all the cars stuff is protected------
but, if i directly wired an amp gauge, it would like "melt" it? (im not even sure how to even wire an amp gauge, never done it before) I just dont want to get it then have it not work on me lol. Just thought it would be cool to see it maxed out all the time? and i dont really have any other systems i can monitor cheaply with a 7afe

ya 150A sounds like a bit much........none of the fuses or wire gauges in the car can handle near that much

[mgnt232]

Bump!
this question was never answered and the thought came back to me today
I am not 100% on how the gauge works, or is wired. lookin for some new thoughts

[mgnt232]

new day bump

[rave2n]

What are you measuring? The amplifiers output of volts, or amps? Either way...there is a ton of ways to make a "guage" per say

I simple but cheap idea...get a multimeter...a cheap small one. Tear is apart, apply the cables in the appro place, extend the display if possible and find a creative mounting...blamo cheap guage =P

On a side note...I have quite a bit of mechanical guages for reading many diffrent ranges, you just have to understand how to read them...I can grab a few and see if you like the idea..only problem is..being they are mechanical, I doubt they'll fair well in a vehicle will all the bumps...

This post has been edited by rave2n: Aug 3, 2010 - 4:03 PM

[mgnt232]

I want to be able to measure the amps out of my alternator. Glowshift makes an amp gauge, but it only goes up to 60 amps, as where my alternator has the capability of 200+. I am wondering if i wire this gauge up, will it just sit at 60, or will it like burn out the gauge? im not sure how this works exactly?

[k-weaver]

I want to be able to measure the amps out of my alternator. Glowshift makes an amp gauge, but it only goes up to 60 amps, as where my alternator has the capability of 200+. I am wondering if i wire this gauge up, will it just sit at 60, or will it like burn out the gauge? im not sure how this works exactly?

I'm no expert but have partially taken an electronics class. I'd say the gauge will peg at 60a. If it is an analog gauge you will probably end up breaking the needle. If its digital I bet it will display 00. No realy reason to get a gauge that limits you at a value you know you are going over on.

On a side note you could always get a volt gauge. I had a digital one on my capacitor a while back ago. When the base hits you can see the volate drop. After I did the big 3 I again watched my gauge, voltage still dropped but not as much.

[mgnt232]

yeah i might just get the amp gauge and try it. it would be an analog gauge, thats why I hope it just kinda pushes the needle up to 60?
My voltage used to drop (at idle) to like 10V, but not now Did the big 3 (4), with all 1/0 gauge, and I have a 2nd kinetik battery, and both never drop below 13V and the lights never dim one bit, no matter how louddddd I go Got the alternator from a previous member reallly cheap, its like a $700 alt, I would NEVER pay that for it though lol