The Ford Barn

slowforty · 10-27-2022, 11:08 AM

Voltage Readings

6Volt 12 Volt
These are the voltages I learned about during my adventure while trying to figure out an electrical problem in my 40 Ford. Turned out to be the Ignition Resistor.

I learned a lot but am still slightly confused.

I am 75 and my head is so full of knowledge. I must forget something in order to learn something. I am now looking for my glasses and car keys

1. At the Battery 6.7 Volt 12.7 Volt

2. At the ignition Switch 6. V 12. V

3. At the Resistor IN 6.V 12.v
Out 40% Less after Warm Up
4.Coil + Side 6V 12V
40% Less after warm up

5. Coil - Side 6V 12V
40% Less after warm up

6. At the Distributor 6V 12V
40 % Less after warm up
4. 5. and 6. Pay attention to Polarity

Battery Voltage is for a Good Battery

ford38v8 · 10-27-2022, 11:13 AM

Yep, that sure is confusing.

solidaxle · 10-27-2022, 11:16 AM

I'm not sure why you have two voltages listed.
Do you have a question?

At 65 I've learned never set your keys down, period!
Buy multiple reading glass and scatter them around.

V8COOPMAN · 10-27-2022, 04:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ford38v8

Yep, that sure is confusing.

x2

Coop

.

dean333 · 10-27-2022, 05:18 PM

Huh???

slowforty · 10-30-2022, 09:44 PM

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

one for 6v and one for 12v

Mart · 10-31-2022, 07:42 AM

I sort of see what you are saying. You're offering information rather than asking a question.

Some comments, not criticisms.

I'd say the ign switch should see battery voltage, not less.

The side of the coil that goes to the distributor might read zero volts if the points are closed.

Other than the above notes, it all makes perfect sense.

You're making the point that the resistor will not actually drop the voltage if measured with no load. It needs the load on it and to "warm up" before doing it's job. It's quite a clever system when you think about it.

Sometimes I think people could make more effort to try and understand what people are writing.

Mart.

JayChicago · 10-31-2022, 01:26 PM

Mart
You are a kind and generous person. Most of us don’t have the patience you are showing.

Royal Ryser · 10-31-2022, 06:19 PM

I can't understand some of your numbers because I don't do electricity well.
I do very well understand some of the problems a person can have. I am at 88 years old. I know that some younger people do not understand the things that happen as age creeps up on us. I'm not sure I do either, but I know that with some luck, the younger will get older. Then a different kind of understanding occurs.

slowforty · 11-01-2022, 10:43 AM

I also had trouble understanding the Information.
But it is from a knowledgeable source from N Y.
Took me a while to figure it out
Voltages were for both 6 or 12

Results varied with battery condition or if freshly charged

slowforty · 11-01-2022, 10:44 AM

Thanks Mart

rotorwrench · 11-01-2022, 11:26 AM

I just stick with the voltage that is currently in use on the car. Changing batteries around just confuses things.

Any electrical system whether automotive DC type or home AC type is going to have resistance in the system. How long the conductor wires are and what wire gauge they are is where the resistance can be lowered or increased. Switches have a little bit of resistance as well but it shouldn't be much. Maybe a couple of tenths of a volt due to condition of the switch would be expected. Resistors go without saying since they are in there to alter the flow of current or they are the load such as an electric motor or a light bulb. Measuring voltage on a wire after it passes through a resistor is tricky. It's better to measure across the resistor to see a voltage drop. To measure voltage after the resistor and not in parallel with it will give no indication of a voltage drop. The meter is making it's own circuit around the one being checked so it only reads what it is exposed to in they way and locations that the circuit is being probed. Use an Ohm meter to check resistors as well as conductors or switches. It is the best way to find out the condition of circuit components. Components should be isolated from the rest of the circuit or the Ohm meter will be reading the whole circuit.

Amp meters only read amperes when connected in series with a circuit so this is different than reading voltage. When checking a coil, it's best to see what amperage is flowing to the coil and not worry too much about the voltage.

10-27-2022, 11:08 AM	#1
slowforty Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Tinley Park Ill Posts: 1,062	Shocking Information Voltage Readings 6Volt 12 Volt These are the voltages I learned about during my adventure while trying to figure out an electrical problem in my 40 Ford. Turned out to be the Ignition Resistor. I learned a lot but am still slightly confused. I am 75 and my head is so full of knowledge. I must forget something in order to learn something. I am now looking for my glasses and car keys 1. At the Battery 6.7 Volt 12.7 Volt 2. At the ignition Switch 6. V 12. V 3. At the Resistor IN 6.V 12.v Out 40% Less after Warm Up 4.Coil + Side 6V 12V 40% Less after warm up 5. Coil - Side 6V 12V 40% Less after warm up 6. At the Distributor 6V 12V 40 % Less after warm up 4. 5. and 6. Pay attention to Polarity Battery Voltage is for a Good Battery

10-27-2022, 11:13 AM	#2
ford38v8 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: SF Bay Area Posts: 6,648	Re: Shocking Information Yep, that sure is confusing. __________________ Alan

10-27-2022, 11:16 AM	#3
solidaxle Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: upstate NY Posts: 478	Re: Shocking Information I'm not sure why you have two voltages listed. Do you have a question? At 65 I've learned never set your keys down, period! Buy multiple reading glass and scatter them around.

10-27-2022, 05:18 PM	#5
dean333 Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Shorewood Illinois Posts: 866	Re: Shocking Information Huh??? __________________ Tim Carlig

10-30-2022, 09:44 PM	#6
slowforty Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Tinley Park Ill Posts: 1,062	Re: Shocking Information Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) one for 6v and one for 12v

10-31-2022, 07:42 AM	#7
Mart Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Solihull, England. Posts: 8,756	Re: Shocking Information I sort of see what you are saying. You're offering information rather than asking a question. Some comments, not criticisms. I'd say the ign switch should see battery voltage, not less. The side of the coil that goes to the distributor might read zero volts if the points are closed. Other than the above notes, it all makes perfect sense. You're making the point that the resistor will not actually drop the voltage if measured with no load. It needs the load on it and to "warm up" before doing it's job. It's quite a clever system when you think about it. Sometimes I think people could make more effort to try and understand what people are writing. Mart.

10-31-2022, 01:26 PM	#8
JayChicago Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2019 Location: Chicago Posts: 733	Re: Shocking Information Mart You are a kind and generous person. Most of us don’t have the patience you are showing.

10-31-2022, 06:19 PM	#9
Royal Ryser Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Colorado Posts: 553	Re: Shocking Information I can't understand some of your numbers because I don't do electricity well. I do very well understand some of the problems a person can have. I am at 88 years old. I know that some younger people do not understand the things that happen as age creeps up on us. I'm not sure I do either, but I know that with some luck, the younger will get older. Then a different kind of understanding occurs.

11-01-2022, 10:43 AM	#10
slowforty Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Tinley Park Ill Posts: 1,062	Re: Shocking Information I also had trouble understanding the Information. But it is from a knowledgeable source from N Y. Took me a while to figure it out Voltages were for both 6 or 12 Results varied with battery condition or if freshly charged

11-01-2022, 10:44 AM	#11
slowforty Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Tinley Park Ill Posts: 1,062	Re: Shocking Information Thanks Mart

11-01-2022, 11:26 AM	#12
rotorwrench Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: San Antonio, Texas Posts: 16,442	Re: Shocking Information I just stick with the voltage that is currently in use on the car. Changing batteries around just confuses things. Any electrical system whether automotive DC type or home AC type is going to have resistance in the system. How long the conductor wires are and what wire gauge they are is where the resistance can be lowered or increased. Switches have a little bit of resistance as well but it shouldn't be much. Maybe a couple of tenths of a volt due to condition of the switch would be expected. Resistors go without saying since they are in there to alter the flow of current or they are the load such as an electric motor or a light bulb. Measuring voltage on a wire after it passes through a resistor is tricky. It's better to measure across the resistor to see a voltage drop. To measure voltage after the resistor and not in parallel with it will give no indication of a voltage drop. The meter is making it's own circuit around the one being checked so it only reads what it is exposed to in they way and locations that the circuit is being probed. Use an Ohm meter to check resistors as well as conductors or switches. It is the best way to find out the condition of circuit components. Components should be isolated from the rest of the circuit or the Ohm meter will be reading the whole circuit. Amp meters only read amperes when connected in series with a circuit so this is different than reading voltage. When checking a coil, it's best to see what amperage is flowing to the coil and not worry too much about the voltage. Last edited by rotorwrench; 11-01-2022 at 11:38 AM.