I am installing a digital amp meter, if the battery is just sitting with nothing attached would a good reading be around 12.5?

I thought I read on another thread (which I cant find now) that it should read 14 while the car is running?

Hopefully this makes some sort of sense.

Thanks

Battery sitting at 12.5V is OK; running at 14V is OK (it shouldn't exceed 14.5V running though) - BUT! You are installing an ammeter. That will read amps not volts. Although the 2 are related they are not the same.

Try these threads:

http://www.camaros.net/forums/showthread.php?t=70535

http://www.camaros.net/forums/showthread.php?t=70910

http://www.camaros.net/forums/showthread.php?t=71078

Thanks Jim!

The voltage meter is a much bettery way to monitor your system. An ammeter will only show you a charge or discharge of the system. The voltage meter will show you a physical condition of your system.

It is a voltmeter that I am installing so that is good news.

I only tested it without the car running and it was at 12.48.

Thanks

Running should be about 14 to 14.5. A fully charged battery will start at about 13 volts and settle to about 12 volts with no load. During cranking, the voltage should remain above 9 to 10 volts.