Battery gauge power draw

[Fleck]

Originally Posted by dougmcp

A heavy switch is not really required as there is no real power draw on a voltmeter. This could easily be wired through the ignition switch so that it only reads when the ignition switch is on.

I installed the meter when then cart addiction started. I really didn't know much about carts (but I'm learning). I used the bigger is better method to figure out which switch I needed.

[dougmcp]

Originally Posted by Fleck

I installed the meter when then cart addiction started. I really didn't know much about carts (but I'm learning). I used the bigger is better method to figure out which switch I needed.

Bigger is always better, except maybe when it comes to women.

[eflyguy]

Originally Posted by dougmcp

Sounds like he only gets to where his cart is once a month. Leaving the batteries in a fully charged mode should be OK but they should be put on the charger for a complete cycle before you drive the cart.

Sure. Point was, the meter shouldn't draw enough power to make much of a difference, the battery still needs to be charged before he drives it.

That said, wiring it to a switch, or the ignition switch, is the better option.
..a

[dougmcp]

Originally Posted by eflyguy

Sure. Point was, the meter shouldn't draw enough power to make much of a difference, the battery still needs to be charged before he drives it.

I agree and kinda said that in the beginning.

[scubabud]

Originally Posted by scguy

Does the ignition switch switch the positive lead or the negitive lead. In other words does the positive go to the battery and the neg. get switched or the neg. to the battery and the positive get switched. Hope this makes sense.

With a volt meter you will find if the key switch is pos or neg, more than likely pos so your install of an analog meter will be easy, taking a ground lead in the dash, (most likely has one,) and pos lead to the ON side of the ignition switch.