Battery Status Indicator Always Lit

[dannyre]

Originally Posted by TahoeDawgZ71

It's an IQ Plus car. That's how they're wired from the factory. The only way to get it to turn off is to unhook the battery pack.

So, on this one you cannot route the hot wire thru the ignition switch? Strange and inconvenient...

[TahoeDawgZ71]

Originally Posted by dannyre

So, on this one you cannot route the hot wire thru the ignition switch? Strange and inconvenient...

You could, but that's not how the factory does it. They have two terminal connections. Positive and Negative. If you hooked it to the keyswitch and drove it for a while and turned the keyswitch off the light would go out, but when you turn it back on the gauge would reset to full charge. They always reset to full after they lose power and have power re-applied. The only way for these meters to be accurate (somewhat) is to stay on all the time.

[dannyre]

Originally Posted by TahoeDawgZ71

You could, but that's not how the factory does it. They have two terminal connections. Positive and Negative. If you hooked it to the keyswitch and drove it for a while and turned the keyswitch off the light would go out, but when you turn it back on the gauge would reset to full charge. They always reset to full after they lose power and have power re-applied. The only way for these meters to be accurate (somewhat) is to stay on all the time.

That sucks, time for a new meter.....

[dextertech]

The factory indicator isn't all that helpful anyway. I'll just replace it with a digital readout. My problem now is I can't find a round one to fit the same hole. All aftermarket 48v are square. Round ones only go up to 24v.

[Moonbuggy]

ScottyB should be able to fix you up with a meter and a plate to cover the hole.

[kernal]

Originally Posted by dextertech

The factory indicator isn't all that helpful anyway. I'll just replace it with a digital readout. My problem now is I can't find a round one to fit the same hole. All aftermarket 48v are square. Round ones only go up to 24v.

Round meters are available. I found one capable of 75v. Datel meters. There are probably others. I only looked for a minute.

[dextertech]

Thanks for the tip Kernel. I found that round Datel meter for $45.00 verses Scottyb's square one for $18.00. Did I mention I'm cheap? :) I think I'll make a square one work.

[brittgee]

Is it a problem for it to be always on? I took the panel off to see how it was wired and there are only two wires connected and neither one goes to the key switch. there is another empty post and a post with some plastic on it. Could I just run a wire to the key switch from the 3rd terminal without blowing something up?

[tag50]

When I replaced my analog meter with the digital, I got a used 2" vacuum gauge for 5 bucks from a recycle shop. Took the guts out the gauge, cut the hole for the digital in the face plate, painted it black to cover the numbering, put the bezel, face plate + shell back together, and installed in the analog's dash hole. The digital just fits the 2" face but it looks factory.

[dextertech]

Gutting an old round gauge to house a new digital is a great idea. Wish I heard of that before installing mine. Now I have the old and the new.