6 volt ps grd powermaster alt

[adileo]

39 deluxe - 6 volt pos grd with a volt (not amp) gauge in the dash

Hi guys, just a sanity check, I hope....

About a year ago I installed a 1 wire powemaster alt to replace my gen. I taped off the old wires that ran to the generator and ran a new wire from the alt to the power side of solenoid. I also added a ground wire from the alt to the firewall. My question is....Is this wired correctly, to work my volt gauge inside the car?

My gauge doesn't move if I flip power switch. But does move up the scale as soon as the car starts/runs. It never moves after that point, always shows a slight charge.

[JSeery]

If it is a volt meter, it wouldn't show a charge, it would display the voltage. How do you have the meter wired up? How about the photo of the meter and some explanation on the wiring from the battery to the ignition switch and the wiring to the meter.

[adileo]

Js first let me say I'm sorry the wiring diagrams didn't help me, I did try

The gauge is stock, I didn't touch wiring harness or wiring behind dash.

All I did when installing new alt was disconnect the two wire that went to gen and tape them up. Pic attached my gauge always shows just shy of the darken line

Sorry about angle on pic

[JSeery]

Does this help any. Are you referring to the blocked in heaver line? That is where it should be. It is reading the battery voltage and should stay about the same unless the battery voltage is lower or higher than normal.

The power from the generator or alternator would originally go to the battery side of the fuse/CB panel, but that wire comes directly from the starter solenoid so shouldn't make a big difference if you didn't change anything else.

Just looked at the wiring diagrams, the std had an amp meter and the dlx had a battery indicator. Your wiring should be fine, the battery indicator is switched on with the ignition switch just like the other gauges.

[51 MERC-CT]

With the switch on and engine not running you should see batt. voltage on the meter.
With engine running a small increase in voltage.
Check to see if gage is properly grounded.
I would prefer grounding the alt.to the engine and the engine to the body.

[big job]

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What we do is to take origional generator wire 'armature' the fat one, hook to the
alternator then on the regulator take that wire 'arm' and put on the 'batt' side
of the regulator (not on the soloniod) . So now current is running through the
origional system and the regulator is now dead and is just a terminal board.

[4dFord/SC]

Originally Posted by big job

What we do is to take origional generator wire 'armature' the fat one, hook to the
alternator then on the regulator take that wire 'arm' and put on the 'batt' side
of the regulator (not on the soloniod) . So now current is running through the
origional system and the regulator is now dead and is just a terminal board.

x2.

[adileo]

4dford & Big Job - by doing it this way am I correct that you have one less wire attached at the regulator? There is nothing going to the terminal that had the armature wire?

Also JS as always thanks for your insight/expertise. Your ever in NJ shout, I owe you a couple of cocktails.

51merc - I have several grounds on the car. I don't mind adding more.. My engine is grounded to the firewall. Actually same spot I added the ground for the Alt. My gauge still does not move with the flip/switch on (my fuel gauge does go up). The battery gauge only moves after I start engine and then moves to right below the dark bar on the gauge. Where would you guys suggest I add a ground under dash to better ground all the gauges?

[51 MERC-CT]

Have you checked the voltage at the gage with a VOM (with switch on)?
You should have a batt. voltage reading. If you get batt. voltage, there is a possibility the gage is faulty.

[adileo]

Originally Posted by 51 MERC-CT

Have you checked the voltage at the gage with a VOM (with switch on)?
You should have a batt. voltage reading. If not there is a possibility the gage is faulty.

I will do that today. It's weird that, no reading and then when I start car it goes right up to what I assume is right reading for charging.

[JSeery]

Originally Posted by adileo

I will do that today. It's weird that, no reading and then when I start car it goes right up to what I assume is right reading for charging.

Again be sure you understand what is going on, the gauge does not indicate charging, it is just reading the battery voltage, just like a hand held volt meter would. Probably not a big deal, but wanted to be sure you know what you are seeing with the battery indicator.

[adileo]

Ok so car not running should be a lil over 6 volt on meter and car running a lil over 7 on meter. That's what I'm hopin to see on volt meter.

[51 MERC-CT]

Originally Posted by adileo

Ok so car not running should be a lil over 6 volt on meter and car running a lil over 7 on meter. That's what I'm hopin to see on volt meter.

You got it.

[JSeery]

Originally Posted by adileo

Ok so car not running should be a lil over 6 volt on meter and car running a lil over 7 on meter. That's what I'm hopin to see on volt meter.

Yep.

[4dFord/SC]

Originally Posted by adileo

4dford & Big Job - by doing it this way am I correct that you have one less wire attached at the regulator? There is nothing going to the terminal that had the armature wire?

Yes. The regulator now only serves to provide a binding post.

[adileo]

Ok Gentlemen, here's what I found under dash. There was no ground wire for the battery gauge. The other gauges were properly grounded. I added new ground wire and connected it as the others were grounded. And now all GOOD.

Volt meter: Car off 6.3 switch on car off, car on 7.4 this is with all lights (head and running) as well has heater and turn signals.

Thanks much - happy and learning Andy