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dwell meter question

Old Dec 9, 2006 | 09:01 PM
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I bought an old auto meter dwell meter and was wondering how I hook it up. I assume one lead goes to a power source and the other goes to the point wire. I have never used one of these because my old vehicles either came with hei, or a previous owner had converted it to hei. I just want to make sure I don't hurt this tool because it's old and very nice. Thanks a lot.
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Old Dec 9, 2006 | 09:08 PM
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The red lead goes to the + terminal on the coil. The other, usually green goes to ground....
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Old Dec 9, 2006 | 09:23 PM
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On mine the green wire went to the - side of the coil and the black went to ground. I have not used it in years though.
The - side of the coil is connected to the points and senses when the points are open. Then you needa ground.
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Old Dec 9, 2006 | 09:30 PM
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Mine has a red lead and a black one, any ideas? Should I write to auto meter? Can this gauge be damaged by hooking it up wrong? Thanks for the help.
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Old Dec 9, 2006 | 11:10 PM
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I'm just a junior member, but red would go to the negative of the ignition coil, and black to ground.
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Old Dec 9, 2006 | 11:52 PM
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Thanks for the help.
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Old Dec 10, 2006 | 01:52 AM
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Originally Posted by jamesc1123
I'm just a junior member, but red would go to the negative of the ignition coil, and black to ground.
That's how mine connects. But, my meter is relatively new. What color leads do you have?
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Old Dec 10, 2006 | 07:29 AM
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Originally Posted by bondoboy
I bought an old auto meter dwell meter and was wondering how I hook it up. I assume one lead goes to a power source and the other goes to the point wire. I have never used one of these because my old vehicles either came with hei, or a previous owner had converted it to hei. I just want to make sure I don't hurt this tool because it's old and very nice. Thanks a lot.
The black should go to a good ground and the other to the coil minus terminal.
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Old Dec 10, 2006 | 09:16 AM
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There must be some differences between dwell meters. I put the black (or green) to a ground, but do recall that putting it to the "-" on the coil also works - just a little harder than using a ground.

I have not gotten readings putting the red to the "-" on the coil.
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Old Dec 10, 2006 | 09:28 AM
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Try it both ways with the car running, when you get a dwell reading on the meter, that would be it.....easy
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Old Dec 10, 2006 | 11:14 AM
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Originally Posted by StickShiftCorvette
There must be some differences between dwell meters. I put the black (or green) to a ground, but do recall that putting it to the "-" on the coil also works - just a little harder than using a ground.

I have not gotten readings putting the red to the "-" on the coil.
On a Chevy V8, you really don't need a dwell meter. If you run the allen wrench clockwise until the motor misfires or stalls (whichever comes first), then back off exactly 1/2 turn you will be at 30* dwell.

Try it. It works!
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Old Dec 10, 2006 | 04:45 PM
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I put the red lead to the neg. coil and the black to ground and it worked. Thanks for the help.
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Old Dec 10, 2006 | 04:53 PM
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You da man!
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