The Ford Barn

Pilotdave · 05-01-2011, 07:46 AM

Left key on in the Tudor last night. Fortunately had the trickle charger on it. Started up fine and runs fine. Only concern is that ammeter is showing 15 amps once alternator kicks in rather than its normal drop down quickly to about zero amps. Is that just a hungry battery or did I fry something in the alternator? Or something else?

Thanks!

Jim/GA · 05-01-2011, 11:34 AM

That's the partially discharged battery being recharged. Go for a long drive and the needle will come back to zero like normal.

Tom Wesenberg · 05-01-2011, 11:56 AM

What Jim said is correct but you can do your battery a favor by placing it on a low charge for 12 hours. A low charge would be using a 6 amp or less battery charger.

Mike V. Florida · 05-01-2011, 12:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pilotdave

Is that just a hungry battery or did I fry something in the alternator?
Thanks!

Hungry battery.

Pilotdave · 05-01-2011, 04:04 PM

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Thanks - you guys are right on. We are just back from a 90 mile ride - 1st tour of the season. Left with fingers crossed and ammeter still charging at 15 amps. About 5 miles before end, amps started to drop and at end were about normal. Will put it on the battery charger tonight. Had a great drive - beautiful day here - car performed well otherwise!

05-01-2011, 07:46 AM	#1
Pilotdave Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Grafton, MA Posts: 1,226	Newbie Mistake Left key on in the Tudor last night. Fortunately had the trickle charger on it. Started up fine and runs fine. Only concern is that ammeter is showing 15 amps once alternator kicks in rather than its normal drop down quickly to about zero amps. Is that just a hungry battery or did I fry something in the alternator? Or something else? Thanks!

05-01-2011, 11:34 AM	#2
Jim/GA Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Young Harris, GA Posts: 1,821	Re: Newbie Mistake That's the partially discharged battery being recharged. Go for a long drive and the needle will come back to zero like normal. __________________ Jim Cannon Former MAFCA Technical Director "Have a Model A day!"

05-01-2011, 11:56 AM	#3
Tom Wesenberg Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Mpls, MN Posts: 27,582	Re: Newbie Mistake What Jim said is correct but you can do your battery a favor by placing it on a low charge for 12 hours. A low charge would be using a 6 amp or less battery charger.

05-01-2011, 04:04 PM	#5
Pilotdave Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Grafton, MA Posts: 1,226	Re: Newbie Mistake Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) Thanks - you guys are right on. We are just back from a 90 mile ride - 1st tour of the season. Left with fingers crossed and ammeter still charging at 15 amps. About 5 miles before end, amps started to drop and at end were about normal. Will put it on the battery charger tonight. Had a great drive - beautiful day here - car performed well otherwise!