M1009 Voltmeter question.

[DanR7985]

Before I go into what's wrong I just would like to add that I was very new to working on vehicles at the time that I did this, and now I know I did something very very bad and wrong. That being out of the way here is my question.

I replaced my voltmeter a while ago, and forgot/did not disconnect the batteries. I tested it, and it worked fine. Well a wire must have touched something it shouldn't have. Quite a spark shot off, and it now no longer works. I'm not sure if I may have fried the gauge, a fuse, or maybe burned a wire in half or whatever. If any of you have any ideas what may have caused this would be great. Needless to say any time I do electrical work I will disconnect the batteries from now on.

 

[doghead]

Check the very bottom fuse in the fuse box.

 

[DanR7985]

Thanks for the quick answer. I will have to wait until daylight tomorrow to check it, but I will do that.

 

[Cucvnut]

get a flash light ?

 

[camp9]

DH is right, I did the same thing about three weeks ago, if it's the same as mine it's the 10amp red fuse on the center bottom.

 

[papakb]

electrical testers

Even if your not an experienced technician one of the handiest pieces of test equipment you can have in the toolbox is a simple test lamp. You don't need to be a genius to know you have power when the light goes on. Simpler than reading a meter! They're cheap and get the job done.

 

[DanR7985]

Just checked and the fuse is blown. I will pick up some fuses tomorrow while I am in town. Hopefully that will fix it all. I really appreciate all the help. I will report back once I find out that it did or did not fix it.

 

[DanR7985]

Well that fixed it. Only now did I realize that I got a 12 volt gauge instead of a 24. So now I have to buy a 24 and switch it again. Thanks again for all the help.

 

[doghead]

You just need a resistor across the terminals (as the stock unit had).

It's 300 ohm.

http://www.steelsoldiers.com/cucv/7715-i-need-voltmeter-gauge-cucv-m1009-1985-a.html

 

[camp9]

remember the spot that fuse goes is 24v, not all your fuses are 24v in the fuse box, but that one is.

 

[papakb]

The majority of the M series battery voltmeters are 24 volt gauges. If you want to know exactly what voltage you have then look into marine (boat) gauges. Quite a few of them are 24 volt.

Kurt

 

[DanR7985]

I looked at getting a resistor. There are 300 Ohm resistors with different wattage. For example 300 Ohm 5W or 300 Ohm 10W. Does it matter which resistor I get?

 

[doghead]

Did you test your old resistor? Can it be reused?

 

[doghead]

In post # 9, I included a link(yellow text) to a thread on the same topic. In it 1 person posted wattage. 1 watt

 

[DanR7985]

In my stupidity back then thinking it was broke I pitched it.


I did read that entire article, but that poster did not use a single 300 Ohm resistor. He used 3 100 Ohm 1W resistors. I don't know if that means the watts add up to 3, or if it stays at 1. I know nothing about that electrical type of stuff. My electrical knowledge stops at putting in light switches, outlets, and lights/fans.

Sorry to be such a pain, but I do appreciate all the help.

 

[doghead]

In post #9 of the link, the mouser part number is a 5 watt, 300 ohm resistor. I just Googled it.

 

[DanR7985]

Thanks a bunch. I'll get one ordered!