15A DC PANEL METER

I started having problems with my car battery, so, I ran bell wire from my car battery to the dash, and velcroed this meter where I can keep an eye on it.

Now I know my air conditioner is the system's electron hog, drawing on my battery more than anything else. (In fact, more than lights, stereo, wipers, fans, and the defogger all running at once.)

Other fun facts: my car when idling in neutral maintains 1.5 additional volts at 800 rpm, compared with leaving it in drive. Also, faster than about 1,500 rpm I am just wasting gas as far as keeping my battery charging. And, temperature matters (hey, I knew that already!) Finally, more volts, brigher lights (dooh! that too).

I still haven't fixed my battery troubles, but I'm having so much fun for my 12 bucks... next I want to set up some backlighting so I can keep an eye on it at night.