wiring an amp guage

[amos]

Hi all.I got an amp guage and I'm not sure how to wire it. It has two terminals on the back. One is labeled negative and the other isn't labeled at all. When I say negative I mean it has a - symbol next to one terminal. Thanks.

[dbaker48]

 Amp gauge needs to be wired in series.  If it is a DC circuit the polarity is significant, it will deflect the needle appropriately.  Connect the negative side of the circuit to the - , and you should be fine.  Its a good idea to make sure the gauge is compatible with the range of current you expect to see in the circuit before you connect it..

[amos]

Don, thanks for the reply. I understand wiring the negative terminal of the meter to the - . I still don't know how to wire the other terminal.My gauge is an AC gauge and goes from 0-15amps. The backside has a - for one terminal and the other terminal is not labeled. I also bought a volt gauge at the time. It is also AC and goes 0-30 volts. They were listed as being popular with 0 gauge railroaders. Thanks again.

[Sturgeon-Phish]

1. Lift the neg wire and wire it to the neg post on the gauge. 

2. Take a piece of wire and put it on the other lug of the gauge. 

3. Put the end of the wire you just put on the gauge in step 2 to where you lifted the wire in step 1

[amos]

 What does"lift" the negative wire mean?  Also, I put a wire onto the unlabeled post and put the other end "to where you lifted" the negative wire? Sorry, this is sounding as though I am to attach both wires to the neg. and I know this is being perceived wrongly by me.

[mdainsd]

 lift = disconnect.

 

the amp meter goes in "series" with the power feeding the track, accesories etc. In other words you disconnect the wire going from the transformer to the track and connect it to one termila of the amp meter. Then add a new piece of wire from the remaining terminal on the amp meter to the track. The volt meter goes in "parallel" with the  poer feeding the track, so it hasl both termials connected to the transformer, one to the return or common (often U on Lionel transformers) and the other terminal gets hooked to the output terminal on the transformer.

[amos]

 Got it! Thanks man, I understand perfectly now. Again, thanks!

[8ntruck]

If you don't mind me asking, where did you buy your ameter and volt meter?

[3railguy]

In addition to what others have said here, because you bought an AC model, the negative (-) sign is meaningless. The manufacturer is using the same case for DC models and AC models.

[amos]

 Here is a link to both meters. I bought two volt and one amp. Service outstanding.

http://www.lightobject.com/AC-0-15A-Analog-Current-Panel-Meter-P196.aspx