The Ford Barn

brianpharmd · 05-05-2016, 08:48 AM

I'll pay the little extra to avoid the continued headaches of the alternator not holding the correct tension and belt issues then arising. To each their own I guess.

My 20 amp meter always pegs at 20 when I start the car running a 30 amp alternator. It settles down as I drive and usually sets in around 0. Will change slightly depending on which lights I have on at the time. When I ran the generator on the car, the amp meter never pegged. I am guessing that alternator = 30 amp and amp meter = 20amp, then it will always peg unless you install a 30 amp meter.

05-05-2016, 08:48 AM	#16
brianpharmd Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2014 Location: Cary, NC Posts: 141	Re: Alternator question I'll pay the little extra to avoid the continued headaches of the alternator not holding the correct tension and belt issues then arising. To each their own I guess. My 20 amp meter always pegs at 20 when I start the car running a 30 amp alternator. It settles down as I drive and usually sets in around 0. Will change slightly depending on which lights I have on at the time. When I ran the generator on the car, the amp meter never pegged. I am guessing that alternator = 30 amp and amp meter = 20amp, then it will always peg unless you install a 30 amp meter.