How do I hook an ammeter up to my Honda Twinstar CM-185t?
(2011-10-21 14:20:08) 1. Says: I have a wonderful little 1979 Honda Twinstar CM-185t. It runs on a 6v, 12amp system.I would like to wire up an ammeter to keep my eye on the functioning state of the charging system. The ammeter has two posts. I know one post is to be wired to the positive post on my battery.
If I am not mistaken, the other post of the ammeter is to be wired to the current coming out of my alternator (stator). Which wire coming out of my stator is that? I have an electrical diagram of the bike here: http://75.95.181.105:86/MC/CM185T/CM185T1-8acolor.jpg (that may take just a second to load the full image)
According to the diagram, there are four wires coming from the alternator. They are labeled B,Y,W, & P, after their original shield colors which have long since faded. I can still tell which is which, however. Which of these wires, if any, do I need to tap in to connect to the second post on my ammeter? If none of these wires, then which?
Thanks!!!!2. Says: Don't connect directly to the battery, then the ammeter wires are not protected by the main fuse and you could have a fire if they short out. Just above the battery in your wiring diagram is a 20A fuse, this feeds everything except the starter motor. You need to remove/break the cable that connects to the left side of the fuse-holder., then using wires and connectors, join the two sides of the broken cable (or the cable spade and the fuse-holder terminal) to the posts on your ammeter. You need wire that can carry 20 amps, and a centre zero ammeter that reads -20-0-20+ amps. The connections will carry heavy currents at times and will get hot if they aren't good. Cut the wire/s as short as reasonably possible. The wire that goes to the fuse-holder will connect to the +ve terminal of your meter but it's not critical, if you get it wrong the needle will just go the wrong way and you can just swop wires over.
You don't connect to the alternator because it generates AC, which is changed to DC by the rectifier, your ammeter needs to be in the main part of the DC circuit as described. Good luck !
d by the3. Says: The yellow wire should be the wire to the alternators voltage regulator, and the one you need. Tag: How do I hook an ammeter up to my Honda Twinstar CM-185t?