Amp gauge
Road Warrior
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 1,383
Likes: 3
From: Texas City, TX
A volt gauge simply tells you what voltage is in the system while an amp gauge will tell you instantly whether or not you're charging or discharging the system. I have found that info to be much more useful than a simple voltage reading. If the charging system isn't keeping up, a volt gauge won't necessarily show that at first, especially if you've got a strong battery. An amp gauge will show it immediately. I agree with Mike that having both is preferable but disagree with both of you that that an amp gauge alone is useless or not as useful relative to a volt gauge. I've had bikes with volt meters alone and with amp meters alone and I'll take the amp meter every time.
Ride Safe,
Steve R.
Road Captain
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 583
Likes: 2
From: Eaton, OH
I agree with some others that an amp gauge would need to be between your battery and everything else on your bike in order to measure the total current draw.
Keep in mind that if you run all the current for your bike through the wire going to the amp gauge then that wire would need to be the same gauge as your battery wire in order to ensure you do not overload that wire. Someone correct me if that is wrong.
If you want to just temporarily hook up an amp gauge and cannot find one, there is a company called Kissan (I think) that makes one that is about 2 1/2" square that uses what they call a shunt between the battery cable and the battery terminal. That way you do not need to run heavy cables to your amp meter. You would just need to find a place to mount the guage.
Keep in mind that if you are measuring total draw that you need to include brake lights as they will add a few amps depending on how many your bike has.
I put one of these meters on another bike I had and measured the draw with certain things on, like just ignition, high beams, driving lights, brake lights, etc., to see how much each one added. I was surprised how high some of the numbers were.
Good luck.
Keep in mind that if you run all the current for your bike through the wire going to the amp gauge then that wire would need to be the same gauge as your battery wire in order to ensure you do not overload that wire. Someone correct me if that is wrong.
If you want to just temporarily hook up an amp gauge and cannot find one, there is a company called Kissan (I think) that makes one that is about 2 1/2" square that uses what they call a shunt between the battery cable and the battery terminal. That way you do not need to run heavy cables to your amp meter. You would just need to find a place to mount the guage.
Keep in mind that if you are measuring total draw that you need to include brake lights as they will add a few amps depending on how many your bike has.
I put one of these meters on another bike I had and measured the draw with certain things on, like just ignition, high beams, driving lights, brake lights, etc., to see how much each one added. I was surprised how high some of the numbers were.
Good luck.
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