Actually the best thing to have is a light. Most folks don't look at the meter until there is trouble starting the motor, or lights are low or whatever. Then it's too late and most don't know what the gauge is then telling them. Anyway, 90% of the time it's the battery and 10% it's the charge system which takes the battery down 90% of the time but 10% of the time it doesn't. I like a light to go on...on the dash, then the light goes on in my head, 100% of the time. We all think and tell the auto manufacturers that we demand gauges!!! and right now!! We are not idiots! But the battery still goes dead before we know it, on a dirt road, at night, in the rain, all alone and no tools and no cell phone coverage.
People like volt meters because you don't run the entire truck amperage thru it like an ammeter and it tells the same info. Autos with ammeters have the same breakdowns as idiot light autos. It's a false control syndrome and the name idiot light bugs us. I've chattered on this before and no one has ever agreed with me yet. I'm at peace though. The modern, well tested, high tech, automotive engineered vehicles use a dozen lights to warn us and they give digital and analog meters at the same time. Never know if an idiot or a gauge watcher will buy the truck.
Harold: Forget the ammeter and put in a bulb. Gotta stop now, the nurse is coming down the hall..
