Adding a voltmeter
 

I'm planning on doing one soon, just have to figure out the where and then I can figure out the brand.

Where have people mounted theirs?

Pics if possible.

I did some looking back over the years and came up dry, so you may be a pioneer here.

Once you've decided on the gauge you want(Autometer products, and Stewart-Warner products have always been my preferred choices), the installation instructions should give you an approximate idea of where to tap for the hot side and ground.

You might even want to contact a gauge manufacturer to see if their tech people have experience with HHR installations.

As far as a mounting location, the A-Pillars seem to be the favorite spot for any additional gauges.

The SS's with the RPD unit have a built in voltage meter. A neat place to put an add on meter would be an A pillar mount. The non RPD SS's have the boost guage mounted in the A pillar. Maybe you could get a SS pillar cover and try that.

Attachment 15464

I wonder if an SS RPD unit could be retrofitted to a non-SS unit, what do you think George?

That ones waaay out of my league Mike.:lol:
Seriously though. Probably too much of a hassle. The RPD is tied in with the SS's ECM, BCM and who knows where else. The g force meter, boost meter and other readings would be unique to the SS programming and electronics.

Did I mention, waaaaay out of my league? I wouldn't even know where to start to try and put one in a non SS.

I do recall someone posting up that if you remove the RPD, the SS will not even run. Scary thought about trying to mess with one.

I installed a volt meter in my 08 panel. I used a gauge pillar out of an SS. I removed the boost gauge and installed a volt gauge. It makes a nice clean set up however the a piller for the SS comes with the boost gauge and the twiter speaker so its expensive. I think they were getting about 250.00 for it from the dealer. if you want to go that route start calling around to the bone yards and look at ebay they show up there now and then. as far as nooking up the volt meter any swich power will do. I just taped on to the fuse box.

I wish you had not mentioned the RPD gauge unit. now im sitting here trying to think how I can wire in one of these. :lol:

I can either glass one in somewhere or cut one into an existing panel, haven't figured that out yet.
I have Cyberdyne in my show truck, just looking for ideas.

And yes, like all great forum members should, I searched first! WOOT!

OBDII reports ECM voltage, or from the pos pin on the OBDII connector.

I was thumbing that on my stupid phone.

What I was meaning is: a scanner can report the voltage that the ECM is receiving. Or, alternatively the positive pin on the OBDII port has battery voltage.

If anybody cares I think I could find the PID. Let me know.

Never thought of pulling a voltage signal from there Don, you're the man!:thumb:

Didn't want to plug into the OBD II connector full time, I will hard wire it, not concerned with the how, the where.....

I want one !!

Didn't mean you had to use the port, the wires are easily accessible one of the pins is Bat+ tied to the forward power outlet. The loom is easier to get to than either going through the firewall or going to the waterfall box.

I still don't know what use a voltmeter would be. Ammeter maybe if we were in the 70's still. But, that's a "where" to hook it up with short hidden wires.

https://www.chevyhhr.net/gallery/fil.../1/1/5/_12.jpg
im gonna be adding this little Voltmeter on the Waterfall where the accessory power socket is. I dont use it and have a powered USB port in my centre dash box.
Having a look how your is using its VOltage is a good idea if you have alot of accessories like I do

Now that looks nice!!!! Hopefully you can post a picture once you get it installed. ;)

I wish I had one of those a few weeks ago on the bike when the alternator bit the dust, so will probably grab one shortly myself. Nice find man.

https://www.chevyhhr.net/gallery/fil...5/img_2917.jpghttps://www.chevyhhr.net/gallery/fil...voltmeter2.jpg

:twothumbs: A very cool and useful mod there Joe, nice work and good thinking too!

maybe attach this to the top of the steering column,add oil and volts


http://www.ebay.com/itm/BLACK-DOUBLE-GAUGE-DASH-MOUNT-HOLDER-52MM-2-1-16-POD-FITS-AUTOMETER-GAUGES-E/111144028352?_trksid=p2045573.c100033.m2042&_trkparms=aid%3D111001%26algo%3DREC.SEED%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D24901%26meid%3D9006594173713578905%26pid%3D100033%26prg%3D10502%26rk%3D1%26rkt%3D4%26sd%3D111144028352

or you could get one or two of these and mount them on the compartment door on the dash


http://www.ebay.com/itm/2-52mm-UNIVERSAL-SINGLE-GAUGE-DASH-MOUNT-POD-HOLDER-Car-Boat-RV-4x4-/321437979970?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&hash=item4ad7325542&vxp=mtr

HA, I was looking round the forum and saw this.

Here's mine: (Not a great picture, took it with my phone while driving.)

http://home.comcast.net/~Kookie/hhrvoltage.jpg

To me that passenger seat belt warning is extremely useless. Actually the light is still there, just put the voltmeter over it. I had to do some exacto knife cutting to modify and put it in there, but it happened to fit perfectly. That was by chance that it did. I ordered the voltmeter on ebay from china for less than $3. I wasn't sure where I was going to put it and found that it would fit in there perfectly. I did block part of the first number because it would look better with that ridge still there in the faceplate. Besides, that should always be no more that a number 1.

I installed a voltmeter because I was having issues and now I can always peek to see if everything is nominal with the battery and charging system.

Actually that picture was going to be a post about normal voltage output. 15.3v, and it will go to 15.4v, seems high. It doesn't always do this, but it will range from 13.1v to 15.4v. 13.1v seems low. I wanted to know if there was any external control of the alternators output than its own internal regulator. I trying to determine if indeed I'm having problems with the alternator.

Kookie. I don't believe our cars have an internal regulator in the alternator. The service manual will even refer to what we call the alternator, as a generator.
I'm pretty sure the voltage output is controlled thru one of the computers. Just don't recall if it's the BCM or ECM maybe.

The HHR does have an internally regulated alternator. Regardless of what GM calls it, it is an alternator with a rotor, a stator, and a rectifier bridge; items you wouldn't find in a generator.

Thanks db/sb for clarifying that.

Yeah, thats what I thought. So, a 13.2v - 15.4v output, is that usual / typical? :shocked:

15.4v is high - it should peak in the mid 14.x's

I thought so. I think there might be something wrong with that alternator. Thats why I installed the voltmeter. To keep an eye on it. But I just can't put my finger on what really might be wrong. Time will tell no doubt.

Funny thing whopper. The repair manual says with the engine off, voltage should be 12.6-15.0 volts.

Just scanning thru some of the repair testing, I see references to voltages ranging from 5-26 volts.
These modern day automotive electronics sure have gotten complicated.

Instead of a single gauge I got a Scan Gauge II and mounted it over the airbag light. Besides being able to monitor my voltage, I can read things like MPG,intake temp,throttle position sensor,coolant temp. and the list goes on. Also if I have a code that comes up ,I can read it and clear it also.

Attachment 23190

Nice, would look cool in the pocket under the radio IMO.