Actron CP7954 User Manual
Remarques, Ammeter — instructions, Precautions
1
An ammeter measures the amperage (volume of
electricity) passing through it. The goal of instal-
lation is to reroute all the power through the am-
meter (Diagram 1) that drains or charges the bat-
tery
, except the power needed to operate the
starter motor
. When the vehicle is operating
above idle speed, the ammeter should be indi-
cating “0”, or a slight charge condition, which
shows a balance of charging and drain on the
battery
.
Read all precautions and installation instruc-
tions carefully before proceeding with any in-
stallation work as the potential for electrical
damage or fire exists if an ammeter is improp-
erly connected.
PRECAUTIONS
1
.
Never ground either of the connection posts
for the ammeter
.
2
.
Always use a wire size that is rated to handle
an electrical load equal to or greater than the
manufacturer
’s
specified output of your alter-
nator/generator
.
3
.
Never connect the ammeter into the circuit
between the battery and the starter/solenoid.
4
.
Good electrical connections are important for
maintaining gauge accuracy and avoiding
heat buildup in the wiring.
INST
ALLA
TION
As the many dif
ferent vehicles that have been
produced have minor dif
ferences in the routing
and connection points of their charging systems,
it is not possible to provide specific information
for each vehicle. The eight drawings of Diagram
2 cover the relevant connection points of virtu-
ally every charging system in modern vehicles.
Y
ou will need to determine which drawing matches
your system. If you have dif
ficulty in locating any
of these connection points refer to a wiring dia-
gram in an owner/service manual or contact your
local dealer/auto electrical repair shop for assis-
tance.
The following connection points are represented
in the drawings of Diagram 2:
B
-
Battery: the positive terminal
S
-
Starter/Solenoid: the main power
wire to
the battery (largest wire)
A
-
Alternator/Generator: the main power wire to
the battery (largest wire at alternator) and, in
Drawings 1 & 5, the wire from the ignition/
accessories
I -
Ignition/Accessory: the main power wire,
which receives power regardless of ignition
key position
Z
-
Junction: in Drawings 4 & 8, where “I” con-
nects into the circuit
Note:
The circuit from the battery (B) to alternator
(A) or starter (S) to alternator (A) may also
contain a junction block, horn relay or headlight
relay
, which is not shown. One of these is
likely to be connection “Z” in Drawings 4 & 8.
These locations are often handy connections
that you can disconnect and then attach the
ammeter wires to.
1
.
Disconnect ground cable from battery
.
2
.
After you have identified which BEFORE
Drawing represents your charging system, ob-
serve the corresponding AFTER Drawing
which indicates how to connect the ammeter
into your charging system.
3
.
Find a convenient location in the circuit from
the battery to the alternator (Drawings 1 - 4)
or the starter to the alternator circuit (Draw-
ings 5 - 8) where you can break the circuit by
unbolting a connection. In Drawings 4 & 8,
this should be at Connection “Z”.
4
.
If your system matches Drawings 2, 3 or 6,
disconnect the Ignition/Accessory (I) wire at
“B” or “S”.
AMMETER — INSTRUCTIONS
Diagram 1
A
LTERNA
T
O
R
AMMETER
BA
TTER
Y
IGNITION KEY
ST
A
R
TER
12
ACTRON MANUF
ACTURING CO.
15825 Industrial Parkway
Cleveland, Ohio 44135
©
2002 Actron Manufacturing Co.
0002-000-2401
Remarques