Volt meter

[mikelbolton]

I'm racking my brains guys, plz help.

I have had some serious voltage drops, and fried a few coils. I invested in a $5 volt gauge. http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B008DBZ0T4/ref=oh_details_o00_s00_i00

This is designed to plug into the cigarette lighter. Of course, I'd rather have a more direct reading. I've soldered remote wire to the leads coming out of LCD display, and run them to amplifier. This is a two-wire setup, one for positive the other ground.

The problem is, this simple setup will leave the LCD on all the time. IIRC, the LCD will not draw enough amperes to kill the battery, but I don't wish to have it illuminated when the car is parked. I also don't wish to install a tacky toggle switch. I also don't wish to wire a relay.

Is there any other quick and easy way to do this?

P.S.- Don't lecture me a/b my choice of volt meter and all that, I'm aware there are better out there. I've also been laid off work, and put on disability. I don't have very much disposable income, but I do like my toys. For the time being, this is a cheap way for me to monitor my voltages, until I upgrade batt and alternator.

[will77530]

tap into an acc or remote wire then adjust the meter to match what the amp says

[mikelbolton]

I've pulled the gauge apart, no adjustments. I wasn't sure if ACC or Remote would show same as power, since they are pulled from HU

[noe619]

put a switch between power wire

[noe619]

I hate when people say stuff like this. You say you fried a couple coils, what's more expensive...decent volt meter or recones? I will never understand the logic. That cigarette light meter will never give you anything near accurate.

he is hooking it up directly to the amp with new leads ...

[mikelbolton]

yeah, was trying not to put a switch inline. I may just have to.

Hell, as much as I don't want to; I may just wire in a relay to a 12v switched(trigger) to close the ground circuit, thereby turning on the LCD when the car is on.

[will77530]

acc doesnt have to come from the head unit you have other places in the car like under the steering column get a meter out and see how much it varies

[mikelbolton]

True. I just feel more comfortable pulling from the amp. Think I'll just order me a relay. I think they're around $6 at advance. I might even have one left over from the old days, installing anti-theft for the dealership.

[mikelbolton]

Got a relay, soldered up the wiring and it's installed. Got a few crappy pics on the cell just before it died. Digital cam died earlier after taking pics of my sub....

[Jessica]

If you want a good accurate reading you will need a relay or toggle switch. You could just run off a switched fuse in your fuse panel but it wont for sure tell you what your amp is seeing. I used a toggle switch but will be going to a relay soon.