Dash Digital volt meter only reading up to 31.4, not 36v +

[Sh_or_ty]

I recently got a digital voltmeter for my dash. I was trying to hook it up today but it will not not read 36v. I tried connecting it to every battery and it will read 6v, 12v, 18, 24and 31.4 but not 36v+

The voltmeter has 4 wires; red, black, red/black, white.

Amy ideas?

[720Deere]

Sounds like a bad battery.

[Sh_or_ty]

Originally Posted by 720Deere

Sounds like a bad battery.

6 brand new batteries-

I tested them with with my handheld multimeter and they're reading 37.4

[Sir Nuke]

if you tested the pack with a DVM directly.....do the same with you new meter.....if you don't get the same reading, you might have gotten a bad gauge.

[bigstik40]

I would double check instructions to see that it is wired correctly. Probably 2 wires for power and 2 wires for measurement, so proper connection of all wires is important. My meter is a 2 wire, so the electronics is powered from the measurement wires. Better charge those batteries, 37.4 is only 80% SOC !! Good luck - RAY

[sportcoupe]

Questions:

1) did this meter ever read correct?
2) what is the voltage range of the meter?
3) is it wired direct to the battery pack or through the key switch?

[scottyb]

2 things to consider.
1 some of those 4 wire gauges require calibration.
2 if you are connected through a key switch or old wiring you may have resistance in line. Put you handheld meter on the back of the meter to double check the input reading.

[Sh_or_ty]

It's brand new and didn't come with directions

Range I believe is 0-120

I'm trying to wire to the battery first to verify it works before hooking it up to the switch

[scottyb]

Originally Posted by Sh_or_ty

It's brand new and didn't come with directions

Range I believe is 0-120

I'm trying to wire to the battery first to verify it works before hooking it up to the switch

You gotta love these things that are sold so cheap they can't afford to tell you how to hook it up ????

[sportcoupe]

Here is the standard diagram for a 4 wire volt meter. White and black got to the golf cart battery pack. Red and black need power to operate the gauge. They cannot be the same connection as the gauge power usually maxes out at 24v. Most people use a 9v battery to run the gauge with a switch to turn it off.