where is the best place to hook up the positive lead of an aftermarket volt meter. do i want to use the fuse panel on a circut that is hot when the ignition is on, or do i want to tap the voltage regulator on the radiator support. (1968 chevelle)
volt meter
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You want it on a switched circuit, that way it is not using any of the power while your car is parked, although it is minimal it can/will kill your battery. I would tap it off of any convienient place under the dash, wether it be the fuse panel or the voltage/current wire for your stock guage/light.
The best place is always debateable. The purpose of a voltmeter is to show whats happening (voltage) at the battery. IMO, the best place is right to the battery, using a relay as the switch.
Now the easiest place to get switched power is at the IGN terminal at the fuse box. The voltmeter will always show a little lower voltage than at the battery and the needle will bounce some when the TS is on.
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I hook mine to the cigarette lighter wire. It's live all the time and you don't have to turn the key on to see the battery voltage. I'm not worried about killing the battery, the 1ma draw would take several years to drain the battery. The modern radios and other electronics draw many times as much current with the key off and folks aren't worried about their batteries going dead.
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