replacing ammeter with voltmeter

[eddie7]

Speaking of my '73 Barracuda here. As I am replacing my alternator and reading about it, I read some discussion on replacing the ammeter with a voltmeter.

So, let me get this straight - they ran the entire current from the alternator through the firewall to the ammeter and then back out the firewall? What was that, just left over from the drug haze of the '60's, why would they do such a goofy thing?

Anyway, to replace the ammeter with a voltmeter, where can I get one, how much do they cost? Do they have ones that look like the original?

[MEK-Dangerfield]

Eddie,
  All the current went thru the ampmeter except for what went to the starter. You can replace the ampmeter with a volt meter, but I haven't seen any that look like the original. Try looking at Summit's or Jegs website to get an idea.

  Mike

[Fishy68]

Yep. All that current went through the bulkhead connector through the ammeter back through the bulkhead connector to the battery.

I also have not seen any voltmeter that looks like any stock ammeter. One problem is a ammeter pointer is normally centered and a voltmeter pointer is normally to the left. I'm certain an ammeter could be disassembled and the shunt removed to increase it's sensitivity and a callibrated circuit built to make it read like a voltmeter but that's kinda like brain surgery to most folks.

[BlueStreak_Johnnie]

I think year one may have one as well.



J.