The Ford Barn

justcruisin68 · 06-21-2010, 11:06 AM

i installed a 12v coversion kit in my 1930 model a. it came with a one wire
internally regulated alt. the kit also came with a 30 amp ammeter. when
running at med. to fast idle, the amp gauge pegs at 30. the alternator
is a 60 amp. what gives? any help would be greatly appreciated..thanks

RonC · 06-21-2010, 11:09 AM

check your ground connections starting with te battery.

MAG · 06-21-2010, 11:46 AM

Take a look at all the electrical connections in the charge circuit including the ammeter. Loose or high resistive connections in the charge circuit appear to the regulator as a load and will cause it to increase the charge rate.

Mitch//pa · 06-21-2010, 11:59 AM

put a volt meter across the battery what does it read when car running with all accessories off.

Tom Endy · 06-21-2010, 12:09 PM

Your alternator has a regulator circuit that continually looks at the condition of the battery. If the battery needs charging the alternator sends current to it to recharge it. When you run the starter to start the car it pulls a lot of power out of the battery. The alternator immediately tries to recharge it.

My two Model A's both have alternators, one is 6-volts, one is 12-volts. Both have 20 amp ammeters. The ammeter will peg to 20 amps (to the right) when first started up. However, a few blocks down the road the needle will start working its way to zero. After some period of driving the needle will sit on zero telling me the battery is fully charged.

If after several hours of driving the needle does not return to zero it is an indication that the battery is not taking a full charge and possibly has a bad cell.

Tom Endy

justcruisin68 · 06-21-2010, 01:02 PM

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thanks to all who replied. I will check out all of your suggestions and
will let you know whats up..thanks

justcruisin68 · 06-21-2010, 01:03 PM

it reads 15 volts....

Mitch//pa · 06-21-2010, 01:18 PM

modern 12 volts systems vary 13.8 - 14.5. i have seen some run at 15 also. if it stays at 15 at about 1500 rpm with accessories off i would think you will be ok. also try it with accessories all on see where it goes.

06-21-2010, 11:06 AM	#1
justcruisin68 Junior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Posts: 24	too many amps i installed a 12v coversion kit in my 1930 model a. it came with a one wire internally regulated alt. the kit also came with a 30 amp ammeter. when running at med. to fast idle, the amp gauge pegs at 30. the alternator is a 60 amp. what gives? any help would be greatly appreciated..thanks

06-21-2010, 11:09 AM	#2
RonC Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Rhode Island Posts: 1,868	Re: too many amps check your ground connections starting with te battery.

06-21-2010, 11:46 AM	#3
MAG Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Austin, Texas Posts: 925	Re: too many amps Take a look at all the electrical connections in the charge circuit including the ammeter. Loose or high resistive connections in the charge circuit appear to the regulator as a load and will cause it to increase the charge rate. __________________ I noticed the harder I work the luckier I get!

06-21-2010, 11:59 AM	#4
Mitch//pa BANNED Join Date: May 2010 Location: Bucks County, PA Posts: 11,454	Re: too many amps put a volt meter across the battery what does it read when car running with all accessories off.

06-21-2010, 12:09 PM	#5
Tom Endy Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Southern California Posts: 3,131	Re: too many amps Your alternator has a regulator circuit that continually looks at the condition of the battery. If the battery needs charging the alternator sends current to it to recharge it. When you run the starter to start the car it pulls a lot of power out of the battery. The alternator immediately tries to recharge it. My two Model A's both have alternators, one is 6-volts, one is 12-volts. Both have 20 amp ammeters. The ammeter will peg to 20 amps (to the right) when first started up. However, a few blocks down the road the needle will start working its way to zero. After some period of driving the needle will sit on zero telling me the battery is fully charged. If after several hours of driving the needle does not return to zero it is an indication that the battery is not taking a full charge and possibly has a bad cell. Tom Endy

06-21-2010, 01:02 PM	#6
justcruisin68 Junior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Posts: 24	Re: too many amps Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) thanks to all who replied. I will check out all of your suggestions and will let you know whats up..thanks

06-21-2010, 01:03 PM	#7
justcruisin68 Junior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Posts: 24	Re: too many amps it reads 15 volts....

06-21-2010, 01:18 PM	#8
Mitch//pa BANNED Join Date: May 2010 Location: Bucks County, PA Posts: 11,454	Re: too many amps modern 12 volts systems vary 13.8 - 14.5. i have seen some run at 15 also. if it stays at 15 at about 1500 rpm with accessories off i would think you will be ok. also try it with accessories all on see where it goes.