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04-20-2019, 05:03 PM | #21 | |
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Re: New Battery shut off switch, now ammeter is strange
Quote:
The switch will, or should, work mounted to the hot lead. I'm concerned just how it was installed. Thats why I mentioned removing it to see if anything was wrong. |
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04-20-2019, 06:44 PM | #22 |
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Location: Foley, Al
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Re: New Battery shut off switch, now ammeter is strange
I was working all day today and just got back into this. Thanks for all the suggestions. I'll address the questions and what I now think this problem might be.
When I started this project the first thing I did was disconnect the battery so no shorts happened during the switch installation. I was very careful. I also did not touch any of the other wiring and was diligent. As far as the hammer, I must have made it sound like I was pounding on the battery but it was a very small hammer and it really wasn't that hard to seat the terminal. But I agree, in the future I'll skip the hammer. I put the battery on a trickle charge (it's an optima red top) and my voltage indicator only indicates exactly 6 volts. The new battery switch was completely removed and I wired it back exactly like it was. The ammeter again zinged over to the right and stayed there for a little while. It slowly (I'm talking 15-20 minutes) started centering the needle but never went to center. So I'm thinking that the battery might be going bad. Shouldn't the battery charge to something like 7.2 volts or something like that? Because now I'm thinking the ammeter is just doing it's job. Battery needs more juice. When I get a new battery the cables will also be replaced and the switch will be installed on ground instead of the starter switch. I'm not the best mechanic so does this make sense? Regardless, I sure enjoy working on a Model 'A'.
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Jim Last edited by jquinlan; 04-20-2019 at 06:52 PM. |
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04-20-2019, 11:03 PM | #23 |
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Re: New Battery shut off switch, now ammeter is strange
What is the voltage going to the battery when engine is running? The battery is usually 6.8 volts when charged . Within a tenth or so.
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04-21-2019, 01:20 AM | #24 | |
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Re: New Battery shut off switch, now ammeter is strange
Quote:
An Optima 6v is fully charged at 6.3v
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04-21-2019, 07:11 AM | #25 |
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Re: New Battery shut off switch, now ammeter is strange
With an alternator the ammeter can peg itself especially if its a 20 amp meter. It sounds like the alternator regulator is working since the ammeter needle swings back after awhile.
My concern was the pegged needle, the reason I asked about removing the switch. Since nothing changed when you did that I'm thinking you installed the switch correctly. |
04-21-2019, 07:50 AM | #26 |
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Re: New Battery shut off switch, now ammeter is strange
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04-21-2019, 07:59 AM | #27 |
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Re: New Battery shut off switch, now ammeter is strange
I just got a different voltage meter which is more precise than the one I was using. The battery registers 6.23 volts which I guess means it's fine. And when it's running using my less precise voltage meter it registered 7 volts which also seems good enough.
It runs very well so maybe I'm just paranoid with the ammeter pegging to the right when it starts can be normal for a model a. It sat all night with no battery switch and didn't lose any voltage so probably no shorts or voltage loss. Thanks again to everyone for their input. Greatly appreciated. On a better note this morning I installed a carburetor I rebuilt and adjusted the float with shims and now no more leaky carburetor !!!
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Jim Last edited by jquinlan; 04-21-2019 at 08:12 AM. |
04-21-2019, 08:03 AM | #28 | |
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Re: New Battery shut off switch, now ammeter is strange
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04-21-2019, 09:32 AM | #29 |
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Re: New Battery shut off switch, now ammeter is strange
Probabley the ammeter itself.Most are junk and some suppliers are not even offering them today.
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04-21-2019, 10:17 AM | #30 |
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Re: New Battery shut off switch, now ammeter is strange
I think it's doing what it's supposed to do. JMO
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04-22-2019, 01:40 AM | #31 |
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Re: New Battery shut off switch, now ammeter is strange
REDTOP Type: 6V
These batteries are designed for engine starting applications. They are NOT recommended or warranted for use in deep-cycle applications. Recommended charging information:
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04-22-2019, 10:11 AM | #32 | |
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Re: New Battery shut off switch, now ammeter is strange
Quote:
In my coupe I found the ammeter wires are only 16 gauge, like the rest of the car (=10A). I should replace them with #10 for my 30A alternator. Maybe one day. |
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04-22-2019, 10:29 AM | #33 | |
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Re: New Battery shut off switch, now ammeter is strange
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04-22-2019, 05:20 PM | #34 |
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Re: New Battery shut off switch, now ammeter is strange
How about a 30 amp meter?....your 10 amps over the meter..
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