painless wiring question on amp gauage - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

swampbuck · 09-06-2004, 02:20 PM

Wiring up the Blazer this weekend and came across a problem that someone can help with. I plan on running a bigger altinator and the Painlees wiring book say to run the big #10 wire to the amp meter. My question is should I buy and run a aftermarket gauge or can the factory circuitry be able to handle the load using the factory plug on the back of the instument panel?

Thanks for any imput

jhow66 · 09-06-2004, 10:33 PM

Cannot think of a reason why it would not handle it-should be ok.

Florida Mike · 09-06-2004, 11:07 PM

the gauge should work fine remember an alternator will only produce the amps called for...Ive seen later model ambulances use factory gauges and you oughta see the size
alternators they use!
mike

JimKshortstep4x4 · 09-08-2004, 07:51 AM

The factory gauge will work since it is hooked up to read the small current that is produced by the resistance in the main feed wire. The two connections from the factory are both tied into the main feed wire but approximately 3' apart so that the resistance can be read by the gauge.

The painless wiring is intended for a gauge that will handle the full output of the alternator and the alternator output is routed through the gauge to the battery.

Jim

BobbyK · 09-08-2004, 12:02 PM

Painless prob. wired for a Volt gauge,not an amp gauge like in our trucks

old gm blues · 09-08-2004, 01:45 PM

I think I can give you a better solution.I took a voltmeter out of a 77 gmc and seperated it from the faceplate.Then I installed it upside down on the original faceplate of my 72 jimmy.I then re-install the needle on the gauge so that 12 volts reads dead center.It took me all of about 1/2 hour.I just ran a + 12v wire from the fuse box to one of the two terminals on the back of the gauge.It looks completly original but gives me a better idea of my charging/battery status with h/p alt.

09-06-2004, 10:33 PM	#2
jhow66 Registered User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Knoxville Tenn. Posts: 3,058	Cannot think of a reason why it would not handle it-should be ok. __________________ 56 Chevy Bel-Air 2dr. HT (purchased new) 71 Chevy Cheyenne SWB PU (502HO) 65 GMC short bed step--work in progress and my gofer

09-08-2004, 12:02 PM	#5
BobbyK Registered User Join Date: May 2000 Location: Petrolia,Ontario,Canada but working in Port Huron,Mi. Posts: 1,772	Painless prob. wired for a Volt gauge,not an amp gauge like in our trucks __________________ 71 blazer,350SBC,approx.375HP,700R4,factory GM TPI.Dual electric fans,33x12.5x15 ATR on stock suspension. Petrolia,Ontario,Canada but working in Port Huron,MI. See ALL my Blazer pic's HERE

09-08-2004, 01:45 PM	#6
old gm blues Registered User Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Montreal, Quebec, Canada Posts: 30	I think I can give you a better solution.I took a voltmeter out of a 77 gmc and seperated it from the faceplate.Then I installed it upside down on the original faceplate of my 72 jimmy.I then re-install the needle on the gauge so that 12 volts reads dead center.It took me all of about 1/2 hour.I just ran a + 12v wire from the fuse box to one of the two terminals on the back of the gauge.It looks completly original but gives me a better idea of my charging/battery status with h/p alt. __________________ everyone is intitled to my opinion 1968 chevelle 1972 k-5 4x4

09-06-2004, 02:20 PM	#1
swampbuck Registered User Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: carleton,mi Posts: 45	painless wiring question on amp gauage Wiring up the Blazer this weekend and came across a problem that someone can help with. I plan on running a bigger altinator and the Painlees wiring book say to run the big #10 wire to the amp meter. My question is should I buy and run a aftermarket gauge or can the factory circuitry be able to handle the load using the factory plug on the back of the instument panel? Thanks for any imput Last edited by swampbuck; 09-06-2004 at 02:22 PM.

09-06-2004, 11:07 PM	#3
Florida Mike Registered User Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Seffner, Florida Posts: 88	the gauge should work fine remember an alternator will only produce the amps called for...Ive seen later model ambulances use factory gauges and you oughta see the size alternators they use! mike

09-08-2004, 07:51 AM	#4
JimKshortstep4x4 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Muskegon,MI,USA Posts: 6,026	The factory gauge will work since it is hooked up to read the small current that is produced by the resistance in the main feed wire. The two connections from the factory are both tied into the main feed wire but approximately 3' apart so that the resistance can be read by the gauge. The painless wiring is intended for a gauge that will handle the full output of the alternator and the alternator output is routed through the gauge to the battery. Jim



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