I'm installing VDO guages, and in particular, the voltage guage.

I need to know EXACTLY how the VDO volt gauge be wired, with an alternator. I can't seem to find a good, simple explanation or wiring diagram.

(FWIW, I know that an ammeter is a better reading of charging system than a volt meter. But I am doing a volt meter install, as it came with my other VDO guages.)

Setup is with an alternator, on a Type 1 2110 in my '69 Westy.
I have some VERY IMPORTANT questions about the battery/voltage guage:

1. Do I need to run a new wire from D+ at the alternator to the front of the bus/dash? Would this connect to the + terminal on the volt guage? What gage wire would this need to be? Then ground the guage, and run a small hot wire to power at the fuse block and ground to the night time bulb on the guage?

2. Should the original dash light battery warning remain in place?

The way I understand it, if the warning light is not operating correctly, this can produce a situation wher the alternator will not charge the battery? I was thinking of removing the warning light lead at the dash, splicing it and running that to the volt gauge? I believe it only lights up when the battery is NOT being charged? So this would be the (-) ground wire on the guage? As long as I have the guage, I would not need the orig. dash warning light?

Any help appreciated.

removing the light should not keep your battery from charging...my light is removed and my battery still charges. the alternator excites from the black wire in the engine compartment (as the new alts are internally regulated) but whomever told you this must have had a bad experience?.?.

You should not have to run a new + from the alt....just get 12v from anywhere under the dash...like the "in" on the fuse box.

tie into the wire that is looping between the dash night lights....tap to a ground...or chassis ground.
voltage gauges should all be about the same....and the simplest of all of them I think.
good luck!

Would yous not want to ALSO keep that red "idiot" light, to
warn of fanBelt failure, as well as of non-charging states ?

i always check the red / green lites before starting, & i
suppose that checkin' a voltMeter & oil pressureGauge
suffices the same purposes, but i have been warned
of broken fanBelts several times Before by that silly
lil' redLight, so i would not be keen to do without it.
opinions...db

I agree with DB. I used to run a VDO gauge setup myself. I still kept the idiot light working just for a busted fan belt. You might not notice the gauge reading 0V until after you burn the engine up. The idiot light is eye catching.

Rick D

Problem solved.

Took dash apart, replaced tiny bulb and old weak old connector with a new one,found a loose ground wire, repaired it--put all back and Gen. light now comes on when key is turned on, then goes out after engine starts.

I know the idiot light is good for when a belt breaks. Also got my VDO
volt meter working as extra insurance. Got oil temp going as well, looks like VDO gauge needs a different sending unit than stock.
( more on that later.........)

cheers

I want to put in the oil temp too....I have a threaded sensor...does anyone have an idea where I should put that?? I was thinking inline to my ext. oil cooler, but if there is a stock place on the block that I am overlooking...that would be quite helpful.
Linds