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Old 02-09-2019, 03:11 PM   #1
rfitzpatrick
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Default Ammeter

Where can I buy a reliable ammeter --- PLZ !!?
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Old 02-09-2019, 04:05 PM   #2
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Default Re: Ammeter

Berts or Brattons always seemed to sell good parts and they stand behind what they sell!!
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Old 02-09-2019, 05:00 PM   #3
daren007
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Default Re: Ammeter

Avoid aftermarket amp meters if at all possible.
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Old 02-09-2019, 06:01 PM   #4
barnstuf
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Default Re: Ammeter

I have not seen a reliable long life ammeter in the replacement market for many years, and originals are hard to find.
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Old 02-09-2019, 06:54 PM   #5
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Default Re: Ammeter

If you're not in a hurry to purchase one, original ammeters come up on ebay every three weeks or so. Check out the judging standards so you'll know what is original and what is not.
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Old 02-09-2019, 08:43 PM   #6
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Quote:
Originally Posted by daren007 View Post
Avoid aftermarket amp meters if at all possible.
Including those which the bezel is a little small and the "fingers" don't hold it in place.

It took a rubber o-ring on the INSIDE of my instrument panel to hold that one in place.

Too bad really. Levels of quality above that usually seen - except for that diameter thing.

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Old 02-10-2019, 06:59 AM   #7
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Default Re: Ammeter

i had my instrument panel re plated and when I put it back I put in a ammeter I got from TAM's. That was in 2012. It has worked fine ever since. When I bent over the tabs I put a dot of clear silicone on each one.
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Old 02-10-2019, 08:08 AM   #8
rfitzpatrick
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Default Re: Ammeter

I've had my Pickup just over a year, and one day I changed out the wiring harness. Henry Ford could have given me another 1/2 inch there too -- as I was securing the wire to the minus side the nut kept turning but it would tighten -- when I changed that one out, in with the new one, two fingers broke --however, now the charging shows a much greater charge. Guessing my old meter wasn't performing as I'll get a 20 amp on start-up settling down to 5 -- this never happen with the old meter. Bert's meters are out-of-stock. What's special about an Orignal?
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Old 02-10-2019, 08:15 AM   #9
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Default Re: Ammeter

Bratton's catalog list ammeter as discontinued due to poor quality and out of stock online catalog.
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Old 02-10-2019, 03:11 PM   #10
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Default Re: Ammeter

Good to know coupe
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Old 02-10-2019, 03:26 PM   #11
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Default Re: Ammeter

While most of Snyders stuff is pretty good, this is one item that is not. They may still have some. But while I have found they work ok, the hand has a problem with staying glued on and can fall off.
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Old 02-10-2019, 04:30 PM   #12
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Default Re: Ammeter

Snyder's and Bratton's would tell you that the ones they sold coming from overseas were poor quality.

Somebody told Brent a couple years back that they were looking into making a quality ammeter to Ford specs like original, but the cost would be more than the cheapo gyp parts and he wasn't sure if it would have a market if people could opt for the junk and save a few bucks.

It seems like the projected cost would be around $70-$75. I don't think that would be out of line for quality, and would be worth the price.
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Old 02-11-2019, 07:53 AM   #13
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Default Re: Ammeter

Get and original and have it rebuilt. Bert's is a good source. Great guys to work with. JP
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Old 02-11-2019, 09:02 AM   #14
chrs1961815
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Default Re: Ammeter

Don't mean to hijack this thread but how does the ammeter work exactly?
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Old 02-11-2019, 01:09 PM   #15
Badpuppy
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Default Re: Ammeter

The pointer is held at the zero mark by a magnet behind the dial. Current through the brass plate between them disturbs the magnetic field and deflects the needle accordingly.
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Old 02-13-2019, 03:58 PM   #16
30Ford
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Default Re: Ammeter

I made a digital one just put it in an old case to see how well it was charging
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Old 04-28-2019, 07:16 PM   #17
Jeff/Illinois
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Anyone hear any updates on these being made new, and correctly
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Old 04-29-2019, 09:00 AM   #18
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Default Re: Ammeter

If you ever get a chance to compare an original with a repop, the first thing you will notice is that the needle is very sensitive to any sort of movement in the originals where the copy is somewhat stiff. The originals were true D'Arsonval type movements where the copies are just a basic shunt with a rare earth magnet. The needle bearings were much better than the copies as well.

The closest units I've seen that were manufactured in the modern era are the little Lucas amp meters made for British motorcycles. At least they work like they are supposed to but they aren't a direct adaptation to the OEM Ford part. There again, the old ones made in the 60s are better than the new repops.
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