Aftermarket Voltmeter Connect

[jwgeorge <jwgeorge@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

OK,
I am going to all aftermarket gauges (yes, round) and I am wondering
about the voltmeter connections.
I pulled the volt/fuel gauge out once and noticed some pretty heavy duty
wires coming out of the voltmeter side.
Now here is my totally ignorant question: Does the charging system run
through the stock voltmeter or does it just monitor the volts?
If the charging system does go through the voltmeter, can that be
bypassed so I can connect the aftermarket voltmeter to only monitor the
system?
I am a mechanical engineer, electrons scare me.
Thanks,
Jay W. George