Ampmeter

[Yankee]

I have a 6 volt positive ground system. The battery was dead and replaced and now the ampmeter on the dash reads 0 when idling and about 15 while driving. Is this normal or do I have something else wrong?

[2manycars]

Sounds right if you have the original generator and cut out system. The third brush on the generator is how you adjust amperage output. If 15 is too high for your driving habits, adjust the brush location to get between 5 and 10. If you drive a lot at night, then 15 is probably ok.

[Charlie Stephens]

What is your charging system? Original generator and cut out? Generator with voltage regulator? Alternator? After you drive awhile does it go back to 0? What happens when you turn on the lights (with the motor not running and also when driving)? How long has it been doing this (what was the last thing you changed)?

Charlie Stephens

[Yankee]

Original generator and cut out - no alternator. It goes back to zero when it is stopped and still idling. Did not turn the lights on to see what happens. The last thing I changed was the battery.

[Mike V. Florida]

Service bulletins call out 6 amp summer 10 amps winter.

[Patrick L.]

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What did it read before the new battery ?? It really shouldn't have changed.. 15 amps is high.. Should be more like 6-8 if not used much at night or 10-12 then.. Its easily adjusted, but, still, what was it before the battery change??

[2935ford]

Further to Yankee, I like to run with low beam lights during day time driving. My version of daytime running lights.
With the lights off I also am showing 15 on the ammeter but when I turn the lights on it reads just a bit + of 0 while driving and 0 at idle.

[Yankee]

I do not recall what it read before the new battery. Just beginning to wonder if it was just a dead battery or something draining it and thus it reads high.....????

[Charlie Stephens]

Originally Posted by Yankee

I do not recall what it read before the new battery. Just beginning to wonder if it was just a dead battery or something draining it and thus it reads high.....????

You problem can probably be solved by adjusting the 3rd brush to bring the charging rate to what Mike quoted from the Service Bulletins. Post if you don't know how to adjust the 3rd brush.

Charlie Stephens

[Patrick L.]

Ya know, I thought of something.. You stated 0 at idle and 15 when running, but, you didn't mention what kind of 15... Charge or discharge ?? I guess we all assumed you meant charge..

[Jordan]

Originally Posted by Yankee

I do not recall what it read before the new battery. Just beginning to wonder if it was just a dead battery or something draining it and thus it reads high.....????

Since it's a generator, it charges what ever you set it to charge. It's not like an alternator where it'll charge the battery and then go back to 0 while driving. If it's set to charge 15 amps while driving, it's going to charge 15 amps the whole time.

[Yankee]

I never adjusted the brushes. Any instructions?

[Tom Wesenberg]

Originally Posted by Yankee

I never adjusted the brushes. Any instructions?

You move the adjustable brush down for more amps, and move it UP to lower the output.



I never adjust the brush because I always install electronic voltage regulators in the Model A generators so the battery gets the correct charge, and the generator output will be regulated just as an alternator and later generators are regulated. About 2 minutes after starting my ammeter needle is just a hair above zero. Another advantage is the fan belt and engine will have less drag when the generator doesn't have to put out a continuous overcharge. And, a big advantage of an EVR is the lights won't burn out from overvoltage if the fuse blows (if you use a fuse) or from a poor connection in the charging circuit.

[Patrick L.]

Toms EVR works well and is a great addition..