The Ford Barn

Ray A from PA · 05-30-2010, 01:13 PM

The ammeter in my Special Coupe shows no charge. I have an alternator on 6 volt system and need a hint at where I should start looking. Thanks for any suggestions.

V4F · 05-30-2010, 01:27 PM

check the amp meter . pull the dash panel & see if you have voltage there . you can check the alt at the hot post to see if its working .................... steve

ford1 · 05-30-2010, 02:16 PM

im going to yelled and told im an idiot, but have been told that before, i dont know what alt you are using , an external regulator or an internal regulated one but doesnt really matter, start engine and remove the ground from batt or at the engine, which ever one is easiest, if engine keeps running the alt is ok, if it dies the regulator is bad, run it with out the ground just long enough to see if engine dies then turn off key and put ground back on, this is just a quick emergency test, ok lol let the insults begin lol

Jim/GA · 05-30-2010, 03:55 PM

If the engine is NOT running and you turn on the headlights, does the ammeter show a DISCHARGE? It should.

If it does, that will rule out a faulty ammeter.

Also check where the wires connect to the alternator. I have seen them vibrate loose and fall off.

Then after that, I would say you have a bad alternator.

Bruce Adams · 05-30-2010, 04:06 PM

Listen to Jim/TX regarding how easy it is to just look at the amp meter with the lights on or blow the horn to see if shows discharge.
If so, the amp meter probably works.
DO NOT DISCOUNT BAD WIRES or connections.
Before you dump the amp meter check input and output with a volt meter to each side. Put it "In Line" between the IN and OUT at the terminal block (using 14-16 gauge jumpers) and see how it reacts with a load put on it by lights or horn.

Oh yes, running your alternator with no battery will cost you a trip to the alternator shop.

PC/SR · 05-30-2010, 04:49 PM

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Some alternators are not "self exciting" which means you have to rev up the engine to get it charging. Thats what I have to do on my 12 v. Once charging, it will charge at idle. Get a cheap multi-meter at Radio Shack or any hardware store and you can trace voltage starting at the alternator. Should be around 8 volts for a 6v system if its charging.

Mike V. Florida · 05-30-2010, 05:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ray A from PA

The ammeter in my Special Coupe shows no charge. I have an alternator on 6 volt system and need a hint at where I should start looking. Thanks for any suggestions.

Does it show any discharge like Jim/tx asked?

Louis · 05-30-2010, 06:04 PM

Ray,
Do you mean it show's no charge all the time?.. i have a 6 volt alternator system also and when i start it up the amp. meter will go to aprox. plus 5-7 for about 30-40 sec. then drop back to 0 amp's and stay there untill i shut it off and start it agin.
i'v had the car about a year now and no problem's with the batt. at all.

Ken/SC · 05-30-2010, 08:20 PM

I had a bad cell in my battery about a year ago and my amp meter would not show a charge. When I would rev up the engine or go down the road it would show no charge. When I put a new battery in and go down the road, the amp meter shows a charge. Have the battery checked.

peters180a/170b · 05-30-2010, 08:45 PM

check you condenser . Might be going bad. Does the car start well?

05-30-2010, 01:27 PM	#2
V4F Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: ca. Posts: 2,522	Re: Ammeter At Zero check the amp meter . pull the dash panel & see if you have voltage there . you can check the alt at the hot post to see if its working .................... steve __________________ V4f

05-30-2010, 02:16 PM	#3
ford1 Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: oroville ca. Posts: 1,554	Re: Ammeter At Zero im going to yelled and told im an idiot, but have been told that before, i dont know what alt you are using , an external regulator or an internal regulated one but doesnt really matter, start engine and remove the ground from batt or at the engine, which ever one is easiest, if engine keeps running the alt is ok, if it dies the regulator is bad, run it with out the ground just long enough to see if engine dies then turn off key and put ground back on, this is just a quick emergency test, ok lol let the insults begin lol

05-30-2010, 03:55 PM	#4
Jim/GA Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Young Harris, GA Posts: 1,819	Re: Ammeter At Zero If the engine is NOT running and you turn on the headlights, does the ammeter show a DISCHARGE? It should. If it does, that will rule out a faulty ammeter. Also check where the wires connect to the alternator. I have seen them vibrate loose and fall off. Then after that, I would say you have a bad alternator. __________________ Jim Cannon Former MAFCA Technical Director "Have a Model A day!"

05-30-2010, 04:06 PM	#5
Bruce Adams Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Northport, NY Posts: 1,597	Re: Ammeter At Zero Listen to Jim/TX regarding how easy it is to just look at the amp meter with the lights on or blow the horn to see if shows discharge. If so, the amp meter probably works. DO NOT DISCOUNT BAD WIRES or connections. Before you dump the amp meter check input and output with a volt meter to each side. Put it "In Line" between the IN and OUT at the terminal block (using 14-16 gauge jumpers) and see how it reacts with a load put on it by lights or horn. Oh yes, running your alternator with no battery will cost you a trip to the alternator shop.

05-30-2010, 04:49 PM	#6
PC/SR Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Santa Rosa, CA Posts: 1,279	Re: Ammeter At Zero Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) Some alternators are not "self exciting" which means you have to rev up the engine to get it charging. Thats what I have to do on my 12 v. Once charging, it will charge at idle. Get a cheap multi-meter at Radio Shack or any hardware store and you can trace voltage starting at the alternator. Should be around 8 volts for a 6v system if its charging.

05-30-2010, 06:04 PM	#8
Louis Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Marietta GA. Posts: 647	Re: Ammeter At Zero Ray, Do you mean it show's no charge all the time?.. i have a 6 volt alternator system also and when i start it up the amp. meter will go to aprox. plus 5-7 for about 30-40 sec. then drop back to 0 amp's and stay there untill i shut it off and start it agin. i'v had the car about a year now and no problem's with the batt. at all.

05-30-2010, 08:20 PM	#9
Ken/SC Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: South Carolina Posts: 92	Re: Ammeter At Zero I had a bad cell in my battery about a year ago and my amp meter would not show a charge. When I would rev up the engine or go down the road it would show no charge. When I put a new battery in and go down the road, the amp meter shows a charge. Have the battery checked.

05-30-2010, 08:45 PM	#10
peters180a/170b Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Putnam Valley N.Y. Posts: 2,151	Re: Ammeter At Zero check you condenser . Might be going bad. Does the car start well?