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FJR Motorcycle Forums
Technical & Mechanical Problems
Hooking up a voltmeter far from the battery
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<blockquote data-quote="Fred W" data-source="post: 1081541" data-attributes="member: 3828"><p>OK, but the ground point can also result in metering error. That same current that goes through the wiring harness goes back to the battery and alternator via the ground path. Granted, the frame is a pretty low resistance conductor, but... Since you'll be running wires anyway, why not just run the dedicated ground wire back to the battery too? That way you know for absolute certainty that, as long as your meter is functioning correctly, what you are reading is the battery / charging voltage unaffected by outside influence.</p><p></p><p>I started out with my Datel panel meter tied into a relay switched terminal strip that had other accessories wired from it. I couldn't live with the error caused by the voltage drop (from the other accessories) across the relay contacts. I have since run dedicated fused wires through a dedicated ignition switched relay so that I know what I'm reading is right. It allows me to adjust my power usage without risking depleting the battery. It also gives very early warning of a pending battery failure. A few tenths of a volt difference may be the clue to a future letdown.</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="Fred W, post: 1081541, member: 3828"] OK, but the ground point can also result in metering error. That same current that goes through the wiring harness goes back to the battery and alternator via the ground path. Granted, the frame is a pretty low resistance conductor, but... Since you'll be running wires anyway, why not just run the dedicated ground wire back to the battery too? That way you know for absolute certainty that, as long as your meter is functioning correctly, what you are reading is the battery / charging voltage unaffected by outside influence. I started out with my Datel panel meter tied into a relay switched terminal strip that had other accessories wired from it. I couldn't live with the error caused by the voltage drop (from the other accessories) across the relay contacts. I have since run dedicated fused wires through a dedicated ignition switched relay so that I know what I'm reading is right. It allows me to adjust my power usage without risking depleting the battery. It also gives very early warning of a pending battery failure. A few tenths of a volt difference may be the clue to a future letdown. [/QUOTE]
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FJR Motorcycle Forums
Technical & Mechanical Problems
Hooking up a voltmeter far from the battery
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