DeTomaso Mailing List: August 2000, Message #189

HPB says
>
> B. You wire the negative lead of the volt meter to ground and connect the
> positive lead of the volt meter to the positive lead of the battery.
> However, since you don't have a perfect volt meter (which would have
> infinite resistance), it is also necessary to wire the amp meter through
the
> ignition switch to prevent draining the battery when the engine is not
> running. This will probably require you to add a relay controlled by the
> ignition switch.

Aha!  After I installed my Autometer guages and replaced the ampmeter with a
voltmeter, I also noticed my battery drained down after sitting for
prolonged periods.  This was one of those gremlins that I hoped to get
around to troubleshooting one day.  In the interim, I disconnect the
battery's negative ground between drives.  Incorrectly, I had discounted new
guage installation as the source of problem as none had 12V with the
ignition off.

Has anyone else encountered this problem when bypassing the ampmeter?

 Am I correct in understanding that I need a relay between the two monstre
wires that connected to the ampmeter?

Would I need a relay capable of handling the battery's full amp load and a
higher margin should the car ever be jumped by another car's battery?

What is causing the electrical drain when the amp is bypassed?

JT