The Ford Barn

loubob · 10-26-2015, 07:48 PM

Original generator was semi rebuilt last week.

Tech set charge to 10.4 amps.

Installed on car. When running, ammeter shows 20 amp charging.

Need to take car for annual inspection tomorrow.

Is it o.k. to drive the car?

If not, why???

Loubob

Tom Wesenberg · 10-26-2015, 08:37 PM

20 amps will cook the battery and generator. You need to move the adjustable brush UP to lower the amps. I only use an electronic voltage regulator in my generators, but for a stock generator I would lower the amps to between 2 and 3 amps for daytime driving.

Charlie Stephens · 10-26-2015, 11:10 PM

Any chance the battery polarity is reversed? Or maybe the generator polarity is reversed? Did the tech know the car was positive ground?

Charlie Stephens

loubob · 10-27-2015, 07:43 AM

Car ran fine prior to partial rebuild. Charged @10 amps w/orig. ammeter.
I watched tech run generator and max'd out @ 10.4.
Now, with an original used ammeter it shows +20 @ semi-fast idle.
Wanted to get the car inspected today(10/27) and want to know if it is safe to drive it.
I'm hoping to have TW redo w/evr over the Winter.
Thanks for the responses.

Bob

loubob · 10-27-2015, 07:47 AM

Explained the situation to the tech and he stated I could drive it with no problems.
I've done some work on the car but electrics are not my forte.

Bob

Patrick L. · 10-27-2015, 07:55 AM

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Why not take 10 minutes and re-set the movable brush before heading to the inspection station.

jhowes · 10-27-2015, 08:06 AM

What happens when you turn on the headlights? It should drop down to a safe level then you can fix things after inspection. Toms vr is a way to go and avoid concern and worry. Jack

loubob · 10-27-2015, 11:25 AM

I am NOT an electrical tech.
I appreciate all responses.
My question is: Can the ammeter change the 10.4 amp output of the generator to +20 amps??? I would think that the ammeter is just a 'conductor' and can only transfer whatever amperage it is given.

Am I correct??????

Bob

Charlie Stephens · 10-27-2015, 11:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by loubob

I am NOT an electrical tech.
I appreciate all responses.
My question is: Can the ammeter change the 10.4 amp output of the generator to +20 amps??? I would think that the ammeter is just a 'conductor' and can only transfer whatever amperage it is given.

Am I correct??????

Bob

The ammeter, if working properly, changes nothing, only measures it. If it is broken it might stop current going through it but it will in no way change a 10.4 amp output from the generator to 20 amps.

Charlie Stephens

loubob · 10-27-2015, 12:04 PM

Thanks.

Bob

Tom Wesenberg · 10-27-2015, 01:05 PM

Does your meter show any charge right after starting the engine?

10-26-2015, 07:48 PM	#1
loubob Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: Syracuse,NY Posts: 264	Bad ammeter Original generator was semi rebuilt last week. Tech set charge to 10.4 amps. Installed on car. When running, ammeter shows 20 amp charging. Need to take car for annual inspection tomorrow. Is it o.k. to drive the car? If not, why??? Loubob

10-26-2015, 08:37 PM	#2
Tom Wesenberg Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Mpls, MN Posts: 27,582	Re: Bad ammeter 20 amps will cook the battery and generator. You need to move the adjustable brush UP to lower the amps. I only use an electronic voltage regulator in my generators, but for a stock generator I would lower the amps to between 2 and 3 amps for daytime driving.

10-26-2015, 11:10 PM	#3
Charlie Stephens Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Southern California Posts: 7,031	Re: Bad ammeter Any chance the battery polarity is reversed? Or maybe the generator polarity is reversed? Did the tech know the car was positive ground? Charlie Stephens

10-27-2015, 07:43 AM	#4
loubob Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: Syracuse,NY Posts: 264	Re: Bad ammeter Car ran fine prior to partial rebuild. Charged @10 amps w/orig. ammeter. I watched tech run generator and max'd out @ 10.4. Now, with an original used ammeter it shows +20 @ semi-fast idle. Wanted to get the car inspected today(10/27) and want to know if it is safe to drive it. I'm hoping to have TW redo w/evr over the Winter. Thanks for the responses. Bob

10-27-2015, 07:47 AM	#5
loubob Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: Syracuse,NY Posts: 264	Re: Bad ammeter Explained the situation to the tech and he stated I could drive it with no problems. I've done some work on the car but electrics are not my forte. Bob

10-27-2015, 07:55 AM	#6
Patrick L. Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Largo Florida Posts: 7,225	Re: Bad ammeter Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) Why not take 10 minutes and re-set the movable brush before heading to the inspection station.

10-27-2015, 08:06 AM	#7
jhowes Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: upstate NY near Mass border Posts: 789	Re: Bad ammeter What happens when you turn on the headlights? It should drop down to a safe level then you can fix things after inspection. Toms vr is a way to go and avoid concern and worry. Jack

10-27-2015, 11:25 AM	#8
loubob Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: Syracuse,NY Posts: 264	Re: Bad ammeter I am NOT an electrical tech. I appreciate all responses. My question is: Can the ammeter change the 10.4 amp output of the generator to +20 amps??? I would think that the ammeter is just a 'conductor' and can only transfer whatever amperage it is given. Am I correct?????? Bob

10-27-2015, 12:04 PM	#10
loubob Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: Syracuse,NY Posts: 264	Re: Bad ammeter Thanks. Bob

10-27-2015, 01:05 PM	#11
Tom Wesenberg Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Mpls, MN Posts: 27,582	Re: Bad ammeter Does your meter show any charge right after starting the engine?