The Ford Barn

shark 81 · 03-27-2017, 11:10 AM

this is my second ammeter first one basically the needle flopped back and forth like it is not attached. called mikes A fordable customer service and they sent me a replacement hooked that up and, needle moves just a little off zero but only when hit the horn, when I start it slightly budges but very little, hit the head lights same thing. I'm thinking it's bad also, but don't know, I don't want to make a big stink about it and, I know that they a cheep little things, are there better ones out there and from who? or
am I maybe I'm barking up the wrong tree? I have a six volt optima battery and a fun projects cutout /evr. in my A and almost always shows 6.0 to 6.2 volts. is it possible that it is not drawing enough to show on the ammeter? or is it bad.

johnbuckley · 03-27-2017, 11:56 AM

With the engine switched off and putting on headlights and tail lights should show a discharge of about 12 amps. I have found the fun projects cutout/evr so good that with the engine running putting on h/lights barely makes the ammeter flicker. I've not had any problems with any ammeter. As always check connections in the circuit are good

100IH · 03-27-2017, 12:28 PM

The current draw from the starter does not pass through the Ampmeter, bat to starter directly, then to ground. Voltage may drop due to high amp draw of starter.

Tom Wesenberg · 03-27-2017, 12:44 PM

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What John said!

The ammeter measures the current in and out of the battery, but with a voltage regulator added to the generator most of the time you should see the ammeter needle just slightly to the charge side of zero.

Many people with the stock generator have the output set so high that the needle sets between 5 to 10 amps all the time, then after installing a voltage regulator they worry that the needle isn't way over in the high charge range. If it was, then the battery is bad or the regulator would be bad.

03-27-2017, 11:10 AM	#1
shark 81 Member Join Date: Nov 2016 Location: thorofare, NJ Posts: 32	need a good ammeter this is my second ammeter first one basically the needle flopped back and forth like it is not attached. called mikes A fordable customer service and they sent me a replacement hooked that up and, needle moves just a little off zero but only when hit the horn, when I start it slightly budges but very little, hit the head lights same thing. I'm thinking it's bad also, but don't know, I don't want to make a big stink about it and, I know that they a cheep little things, are there better ones out there and from who? or am I maybe I'm barking up the wrong tree? I have a six volt optima battery and a fun projects cutout /evr. in my A and almost always shows 6.0 to 6.2 volts. is it possible that it is not drawing enough to show on the ammeter? or is it bad.

03-27-2017, 11:56 AM	#2
johnbuckley Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: United Kingdom Posts: 1,556	Re: need a good ammeter With the engine switched off and putting on headlights and tail lights should show a discharge of about 12 amps. I have found the fun projects cutout/evr so good that with the engine running putting on h/lights barely makes the ammeter flicker. I've not had any problems with any ammeter. As always check connections in the circuit are good

03-27-2017, 12:28 PM	#3
100IH Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: SW Idaho Posts: 971	Re: need a good ammeter The current draw from the starter does not pass through the Ampmeter, bat to starter directly, then to ground. Voltage may drop due to high amp draw of starter.

03-27-2017, 12:44 PM	#4
Tom Wesenberg Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Mpls, MN Posts: 27,582	Re: need a good ammeter Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) What John said! The ammeter measures the current in and out of the battery, but with a voltage regulator added to the generator most of the time you should see the ammeter needle just slightly to the charge side of zero. Many people with the stock generator have the output set so high that the needle sets between 5 to 10 amps all the time, then after installing a voltage regulator they worry that the needle isn't way over in the high charge range. If it was, then the battery is bad or the regulator would be bad.