The Ford Barn

rscardina · 02-26-2016, 01:21 PM

I recently installed a Powermaster 6v pos ground alternator and it has been working fine. Last night, in preparation of a club event on Saturday, I went to fill up at my local non-corn gas station at $1.69/gal.

Rarely do I drive my A at night. Just after starting my car last night I noticed when I turned on my lights I had a discharge of 10 amps on my ammeter and the lights were dim. I have heard that alternators may need to be "excited" by revving the engine. I assumed that I would get enough RPM's on my way to achieve this. However, on my way the lights remained dim and the car eventually started bucking and killed at about a mile down the road. It was dark and I couldn't tell how my ammeter was reacting during the drive. I turned my lights off, restarted, revved up the engine, and was on my way. I had some street lights nearby at this point and could tell the alternator was working and was showing a charge on my ammeter. I turned on my lights and had a good beam of light from them. I didn't have any issues after that. What could have caused it to die like that?

02-26-2016, 01:21 PM	#1
rscardina Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: Livingston, Louisiana Posts: 188	possible electrical problem I recently installed a Powermaster 6v pos ground alternator and it has been working fine. Last night, in preparation of a club event on Saturday, I went to fill up at my local non-corn gas station at $1.69/gal. Rarely do I drive my A at night. Just after starting my car last night I noticed when I turned on my lights I had a discharge of 10 amps on my ammeter and the lights were dim. I have heard that alternators may need to be "excited" by revving the engine. I assumed that I would get enough RPM's on my way to achieve this. However, on my way the lights remained dim and the car eventually started bucking and killed at about a mile down the road. It was dark and I couldn't tell how my ammeter was reacting during the drive. I turned my lights off, restarted, revved up the engine, and was on my way. I had some street lights nearby at this point and could tell the alternator was working and was showing a charge on my ammeter. I turned on my lights and had a good beam of light from them. I didn't have any issues after that. What could have caused it to die like that? __________________ *Ryan Scardina* *Livingston, Louisiana* *1930 LSU Model A* Last edited by rscardina; 02-26-2016 at 04:25 PM.