Voltage Gauge question

[vtboy51]

I just installed a voltage gauge in place of my old amp gauge (new alternator) and it only reads 12 volts, although with a meter I'm getting 14.5v to the ignition post I connected it to. Is this normal for these gauges to read low?

 

[DirtDonk]

Unfortunately, it's not unusual for anything to read low or high these days.
But before re-orienting your brain to think of 12v as 14v (does it go down when you turn the engine off?) you might lower your viewing angle to see if it reads more closely to the 14 mark than when you're sitting up in the seat at full height.
Might just be the angle of the danglia.

I could be way off, if the scale goes the other way, it might read even lower when you get down on a level with the gauge. But the angle of the view was the first thing I thought of.

paul

 

[Viperwolf1]

I just installed a voltage gauge in place of my old amp gauge (new alternator) and it only reads 12 volts, although with a meter I'm getting 14.5v to the ignition post I connected it to. Is this normal for these gauges to read low?

You may have the gauge attached to a really poor ground. Hook your meter ground to the same spot and see if it's reading low also.

 

[vtboy51]

I just confirmed I have 14.5v at the studs on the gauge and it does read 12v when looking at it straight on. It just appears to be a poor quality gauge, thanks for the feedback though.

 

[DirtDonk]

I wonder if they can be adjusted. Like the stock and many aftermarket IVR units can?

 

[Wild horse 75]

My guess is cheap gauge. Probably can’t be easily adjusted either. Honestly though reading 12V or 14V really doesn’t matter. It’s really only once it drops down to about 10 or 11V that you need to pay attention. see What the gauge reads when you have all your electrical loads on it and use that as your oh no point where you might want to start paying attention.

 

[ngsd]

2 volts is within tollerance in China! Sounds like a cheap gauge.

 

[Steve83]

Post a link to the gauge you bought, and check its housing for an adjusting screw, or a way to remove the glass & bend the needle.