|
Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) |
|
|
Thread Tools | Display Modes |
08-11-2023, 08:49 PM | #1 |
Junior Member
Join Date: Jul 2023
Posts: 27
|
Hello All Been lurkin for a few week ? about ammeter and alternator
I have 31 sedan that I inherited from my grandfather and the ammeter will go from pegged discharge when it starts to pegged charging then the fuse would blow when I go to rev it up to pull out. So I put a 30 amp breaker on it same scenario pegs it trips the breaker then the car shuts off. I've used the search function but can't find anyone with the same scenario. There is a condenser in the distributor and I've tried to get the timing down with the nurex wrench. Timing Definately not near where the woody idles but it has its own set of problems. I put new plugs in it and it backfires as well. There is a 6 volt alternator as well
|
08-11-2023, 11:05 PM | #2 |
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Clinton,WA/Whidbey Island
Posts: 4,118
|
Re: Hello All Been lurkin for a few week ? about ammeter and alternator
Need to excite the alternator!?
__________________
www.whidbeymodelaclub.com |
Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) |
|
08-12-2023, 06:25 AM | #3 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Western North Carolina
Posts: 3,925
|
Re: Hello All Been lurkin for a few week ? about ammeter and alternator
It seems that there may be something wrong with the alternator. Try taking the wire off the alternator and starting the car to see if you get the same issue. If the problem goes away with the alternator disconnected, you can take it to an alternator shop (if you can find one) to have it looked at. Or get another alternator.
It may be a 12 volt alternator on a 6 volt car. It may be a fault with the wiring like a bad ground or loose connection somewhere. Or there may be a short somewhere. If the problem persists with the alternator disconnected then look for a short. There may be a short in the horn or somewhere else. Try disconnecting things one at a time to see if you can isolate the cause.
__________________
A is for apple, green as the sky. Step on the gas, for tomorrow I die. Forget the brakes, they really don't work. The clutch always sticks, and starts with a jerk. My car grows red hair, and flies through the air. Driving's a blast, a blast from the past. |
08-12-2023, 06:35 AM | #4 |
Junior Member
Join Date: Jul 2023
Posts: 27
|
Re: Hello All Been lurkin for a few week ? about ammeter and alternator
thanks all Nkaminar I'm in Western nc too down in Polk.
Does anyone stock a 6 volt alternator like oreilly advanced autozone napa? |
08-12-2023, 07:29 AM | #5 | |
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Young Harris, GA
Posts: 1,823
|
Re: Hello All Been lurkin for a few week ? about ammeter and alternator
Quote:
I am about 2 hours west of you, if you are in Polk County NC. We should get together. It sounds like this is your first Model A. I would be glad to travel over there to help you out, if you want. Some basic electric system troubleshooting will pin down the problem very quickly.
__________________
Jim Cannon Former MAFCA Technical Director "Have a Model A day!" |
|
08-12-2023, 10:37 AM | #6 |
Senior Member
|
Re: Hello All Been lurkin for a few week ? about ammeter and alternator
Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)
|
08-12-2023, 10:04 PM | #7 |
Junior Member
Join Date: Jul 2023
Posts: 27
|
Re: Hello All Been lurkin for a few week ? about ammeter and alternator
I could use the help. Im overwhelmed right now trying to keep them running and i have one more to get out of the weather. I cant get that one(coupe) to start at all. It'll turn over just wont run. Ive got spark at the points. These things sat for 2 or 3 years without moving. I drained the gas out of the tanks but not the carbs. Anyways back to this one that started the thread. The sedan i disconnected the alternator and the ammeter just showed a slight discharge. The number on alternator says 12v negative. Is there a way to test the output voltage of the alternator?
|
08-12-2023, 10:09 PM | #8 |
Junior Member
Join Date: Jul 2023
Posts: 27
|
Re: Hello All Been lurkin for a few week ? about ammeter and alternator
Here is part number of alternator. Maybe the problem is this car has been converted to 12v?
|
08-12-2023, 10:10 PM | #9 |
Junior Member
Join Date: Jul 2023
Posts: 27
|
Re: Hello All Been lurkin for a few week ? about ammeter and alternator
1102394 37a
|
08-12-2023, 11:52 PM | #10 | |
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Young Harris, GA
Posts: 1,823
|
Re: Hello All Been lurkin for a few week ? about ammeter and alternator
Quote:
You need to get the goop from old, stale gas out of the carbs. Remove the carbs, spray the jets with carb cleaner followed by compressed air and put them back on the engine. Original Zenith carbs are held together by only 1 bolt; easy to take apart and put back together.
__________________
Jim Cannon Former MAFCA Technical Director "Have a Model A day!" |
|
08-13-2023, 12:46 AM | #11 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: San Antonio, Texas
Posts: 16,462
|
Re: Hello All Been lurkin for a few week ? about ammeter and alternator
The OP has a major short to ground. That's what burns fuses. The fuse protects the rest of the circuit. The alternator may or may not be involved but something inside would likely be burned melted or damaged enough to create a dead short. Inspect the charging circuit from stem to stern. It could be anywhere in system portions that are not switched. Lights, horn, and electric wiper are isolated if not switched on. Ignition has to be on to run but a short there won't let it run.
|
08-13-2023, 06:27 AM | #12 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Western North Carolina
Posts: 3,925
|
Re: Hello All Been lurkin for a few week ? about ammeter and alternator
I cannot travel to you to help right now but I posted what I did to get a car running that had sat outside for 5 years. See https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/showthread.php?t=329463
You have a short somewhere. Disconnect all the wiring and use your multi meter to find the short. Google the alternator part number to learn if it is 12 V or 6 V. What voltage battery is installed? The 6 volt battery will have 3 caps on top for filling with distilled water. The 12 volt battery will have 2 caps that fill 3 cells each for a total of 6 cells.
__________________
A is for apple, green as the sky. Step on the gas, for tomorrow I die. Forget the brakes, they really don't work. The clutch always sticks, and starts with a jerk. My car grows red hair, and flies through the air. Driving's a blast, a blast from the past. |
08-13-2023, 08:09 AM | #13 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2021
Location: Central Illinois
Posts: 498
|
Re: Hello All Been lurkin for a few week ? about ammeter and alternator
Which battery post is grounded to the frame??
__________________
"It ain't what you know for certain that gets ya in trouble. It's what ya know for certain that just ain't so!" |
08-13-2023, 08:09 AM | #14 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2017
Location: Guthrie, OK
Posts: 1,150
|
Re: Hello All Been lurkin for a few week ? about ammeter and alternator
All 6V alternators are converted from 12V, and the case stamping isn't changed. The part number is rather meaningless since it is different for the make/model it was originally installed in.
You need to identify what type system you have, starting with the battery. |
08-13-2023, 08:42 AM | #15 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Eagle Bend, MN
Posts: 2,027
|
Re: Hello All Been lurkin for a few week ? about ammeter and alternator
One thing to remember, the Model A is originally POSITIVE ground. If you dropped a battery in, not knowing that, it would definitely create some havoc. As said above, some alternators have been converted to 6V positive ground so looking at the markings isn't really going to tell you much. Most coils will have a polarity marking on them, usually a + on one side of the primary. If the + is going to the distributor then than is an indicator that it is still positive ground. For sure disconnect the alternator until you figure it out. If you bring the alternator to a competent shop they can tell you if it has been converted. By the way, once you figure this out, DOCUMENT it, put a tag on the alternator and somewhere else on the car. This happens SO often, people make "improvements" to the car and leave no documentation for the next guy. Hydraulic break conversions are the worst for this. Also download a wiring diagram, use the search function here on Fordbarn, they have been posted many times. Good Luck!
__________________
"There are some that can destroy an anvil with a teaspoon and shouldn't be allowed to touch anything resembling a tool." |
08-13-2023, 09:34 AM | #16 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Western North Carolina
Posts: 3,925
|
Re: Hello All Been lurkin for a few week ? about ammeter and alternator
The stock electrical system is here in detail. https://www.mafca.com/downloads/Semi...ex%20Janke.pdf
It is a good resource but your electrical system may have been changed. Common changes are the ignition switch wiring and conversion to an alternator.
__________________
A is for apple, green as the sky. Step on the gas, for tomorrow I die. Forget the brakes, they really don't work. The clutch always sticks, and starts with a jerk. My car grows red hair, and flies through the air. Driving's a blast, a blast from the past. |
08-13-2023, 01:29 PM | #17 |
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Southern California
Posts: 7,044
|
Re: Hello All Been lurkin for a few week ? about ammeter and alternator
Be careful you don't burn out the ammeter. Original ones are hard to find. If it goes to 30 amp it is a replacement already.
Charie Stephens |
08-13-2023, 06:51 PM | #18 |
Junior Member
Join Date: Jul 2023
Posts: 27
|
Re: Hello All Been lurkin for a few week ? about ammeter and alternator
The position cable is on the negative battery post
the ground cable is on the positive post The ammeter is a 20amp one How many grounds are there?I'll check the schematic I'm pretty sure its still a 6 volt system all the batteries have been 6 volts |
08-13-2023, 06:54 PM | #19 |
Junior Member
Join Date: Jul 2023
Posts: 27
|
Re: Hello All Been lurkin for a few week ? about ammeter and alternator
Ground cable is attached to trans bolt. I wirewheeled it this am to make sure ground didn't have paint.
|
08-14-2023, 08:02 AM | #20 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2017
Location: Guthrie, OK
Posts: 1,150
|
Re: Hello All Been lurkin for a few week ? about ammeter and alternator
Check grounding between alternator and battery post. Lack of common reference can lead to high voltage between them. Run AWG #12 between alt. case and battery ground post if necessary.
On a similar note, since battery ground has been moved to the bell housing, you also need a connection between ground post and frame (at least #12) for lights and horn. |
|
|
Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) |
|