Mods - Interior Discussion related to the looks of the interior of the HHR.

Adding a voltmeter

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Dec 8, 2013 | 09:00 PM
  #1  
thunder94's Avatar
Thread Starter
Member
 
Joined: 11-24-2013
Posts: 92
From: SW Michigan
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.
Old Dec 8, 2013 | 09:13 PM
  #2  
843de's Avatar
Deceased
 
Joined: 06-30-2010
Posts: 25,739
From: Kannapolis NC
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.
Old Dec 8, 2013 | 09:14 PM
  #3  
firemangeorge's Avatar
Platinum Member
 
Joined: 12-06-2009
Posts: 11,721
From: Alabama
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

Last edited by firemangeorge; May 30, 2014 at 11:07 PM.
Old Dec 8, 2013 | 09:17 PM
  #4  
843de's Avatar
Deceased
 
Joined: 06-30-2010
Posts: 25,739
From: Kannapolis NC
I wonder if an SS RPD unit could be retrofitted to a non-SS unit, what do you think George?
Old Dec 8, 2013 | 09:31 PM
  #5  
firemangeorge's Avatar
Platinum Member
 
Joined: 12-06-2009
Posts: 11,721
From: Alabama
That ones waaay out of my league Mike.
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.
Old Dec 8, 2013 | 10:54 PM
  #6  
Lucky's Avatar
Senior Member
 
Joined: 12-24-2007
Posts: 2,873
From: Seville. OH
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.
Old Dec 8, 2013 | 11:00 PM
  #7  
Lucky's Avatar
Senior Member
 
Joined: 12-24-2007
Posts: 2,873
From: Seville. OH
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.
Old Dec 9, 2013 | 12:00 AM
  #8  
thunder94's Avatar
Thread Starter
Member
 
Joined: 11-24-2013
Posts: 92
From: SW Michigan
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!
Old Dec 10, 2013 | 11:40 AM
  #9  
donbrew's Avatar
Moderator
 
Joined: 01-23-2009
Posts: 26,541
From: Fredericksburg,VA
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.

Last edited by donbrew; Dec 10, 2013 at 01:59 PM.
Old Dec 10, 2013 | 11:59 AM
  #10  
843de's Avatar
Deceased
 
Joined: 06-30-2010
Posts: 25,739
From: Kannapolis NC
Never thought of pulling a voltage signal from there Don, you're the man!



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 12:39 PM.