Voltmeter wiring

[Petowner]

Doing loom , and looking at fitting voltmeter , l have loaded 2 h\duty 84x0.30 (50 amp) to take power up to fuse boxes from battery
l have also loaded 2off 56 x0.30 (39 amp) cables in loom . could one of these be used to wire in voltmeter or is it not rated high enough?
With 50 amp cables as they are going from battery to feed fuse box , is it feasible for one of those to be fed onto voltmeter ,so that cable does two jobs
(feed fuse box & voltmeter at the same time )?

What rating cable for battery to solenoid etc ? there is too much choice and too many factors for novice to be sure of correct choice
( l would always uprate instead of down rate) NOT STUPID!!!!!
Wire gauge, numbers of stands , ampage , nothing consistent in looking up details , l'm tending to look at amps rating and number of strands that go with that.
Then throw in the wire gauge and that's the confusing part, not all literature has same details. Suppose the wire gauge is used ore in USA?

Slightly confused Bob

[Dave Lane]

Volt gauge draws about 1AMP so supply can come from any switched live supply , Amp gauges need the large wire not the Volt gauges . As for the battery go for 15mm ( now listed as 16mm ) or 25mm as overkill .

[Petowner]

Thanks Dave
Hadn't found that particular chart.
Overkill it is then .
So you're saying l don't need to run cable direct from battery? but from ignition switch to voltmeter?

Bob

[John A. Ross]

Bob

Daves the man but I usually wire voltmeter t dash, its a better indicator. Is it an original smiths gauge you are fitting ?

Yes I use 25m from battery to first fue then solenoid, and 25mm to starter with an aux 25mm ground lead direct from -VE battery terminal to the engine block (nut/stud on timing cover)

If you want any of those leads made up to length Bob just ask.

The crimp tool is hydraulic so I can still manage with one hand

John

[Petowner]

Yes John
That'd be good , l need to get some so if you can help all the better. THANKS
Not sure what gauges l have , don't think l have a decent voltmeter , fitted ammeter in last imp, need to look.
You said l usually wire voltmeter to dash? Did you mean Ignition switch? or what?

Bob

[John A. Ross]

Yes switched side of ignition, there is usually a spare terminal on the ignition switch or the input side of the voltage regulator

Let me know the lengths you are after Bob and if you are using a main fuse in line with battery

[Petowner]

Only got a couple connected to an old solenoid , as nothings in back end yet, battery or engine wise that's all l can go with
16" from battery to solenoid and 3ft from solenoid to starter, would like a heavy duty fuse in the short one , couldn't see an inline one . Extra couple of inches might be advisable ? what say you?
Look at yours and go with what you have PLEASE
Got battery terminals with grubb screws to lock cable on.

Paypal you once sorted

Bob

[John A. Ross]

Bob

I mounted the fuse holder to right of solenoid so it did not look out of place



One of these

https://www.autoelectricsupplies.co.uk/product/1165



Two rivnuts to right of solenoid and jobs all dne

[John A. Ross]

Bob, what kind of battery rerminals did you get ?

[Petowner]

I've bought some suitable for round posts. Think l've got two types , the old fashioned shaped ones and new fangle ones with 4 various size holes with grubb screw locks

Yes that sort of fuse holder will do nicely , shall l get one and you just make lengths suitable to fit where yours does. or will you supply one?
Happy with that.

Bob

[John A. Ross]

Bob

I have ordered all the bits I need now to make up your battery wiring, fuse, solenoid to starter and chassis leads.

I am not a fan of the battery terminals with these grub screws so I have a proper crimp one and cover for positive terminal on way

Test fit i can do it on my car here.

Its all pretty straight forward to add in, I will do a M8 to 2 x M6 split lead for your two smaller fuse holders as well.

John

[Petowner]

Thinking about one of these ,

https://www.carbuilder.com/uk/distribution-and-12-way-fuse-box

Bit bulky but would possibly be better than what l have at moment (2 off ten way boxes)
6 off permanently powered and 6off switched should be enough looking at other owners (mainly Dave) have done.
Obvious place on bulkhead seems natural place to fit one. water pipes allowing that is.

[John A. Ross]

Bob

I sent a link for a 12 way.

John

[moose549]

When we did the wiring for the rally car i found some circuit breaker toggle switches chrome, so period looking but with a modern function (https://www.hubelectronics.co.uk/sho...cuit-breakers/ we used these on the world rally cars) found some from Mexican fighter planes and mounted them in middle of my dash so this reduced the amount of fuses required.

[John A. Ross]

Mike, fitted to loads of control systems but never thought about using them for a car , nice idea