The Ford Barn

Airsho93 · 03-16-2012, 07:15 PM

Hey Guys, While I was driving around today my amp gauge was reading 10 amps. I know that is a bunch. So what I did was turn on my lights but the amp meter went to 0 or a little less depending on what beam I was on.

Is this normal?

Paul from Maine · 03-16-2012, 07:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Airsho93

Hey Guys, While I was driving around today my amp gauge was reading 10 amps. I know that is a bunch. So what I did was turn on my lights but the amp meter went to 0 or a little less depending on what beam I was on.

Is this normal?

That's normal, but not so good for the battery(or the headlights). Buy one of the voltage regulators that replace the cutout. You can then set the third brush to 15 amps charge, but the regulator will limit the amperage to just what the battery needs to maintain a charge. I run Sealed beams which take about 15 amps to operate. With just a cut out and lights off, I would overcharge the battery, boil the acid and maybe warp the plates at 15 amps. But the regulator lets me run the lights without overcharging the battery when the lights are off.
Plus I am not feeding my lights 7 or 8 volts, which diminishes their life considerably.

eagle · 03-16-2012, 09:26 PM

I too have the voltage regulator that replaces the cutout. Works just as paul says. I like to take night drives with the family and I had to adjust the 3rd brush before I went and when I got back because I didn't want to discharge the battery at night or overcharge it during the day. The voltage regulator pays for itself just in the extra life you get out of your battery.

Patrick L. · 03-16-2012, 09:31 PM

I'm a big fan of the regulator that Tom Wesenberg sells.. It replaces the third brush..

Jerry Parr WI · 03-16-2012, 09:50 PM

The proper method is to adjust the charge rate for your driving conditions by moving the generator third brush. The regulator does it for you. Just a modern convenience.

Airsho93 · 03-16-2012, 11:03 PM

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

I have Tom's info and will sending the money as soon as I get a bank check. I just had a birthday and got a little money.

Mike V. Florida · 03-16-2012, 11:34 PM

10 amps seems a little high to me for normal daytime driving.

columbiA · 03-16-2012, 11:48 PM

If you want more modern conveniences,put in a Pinto or whatever & you wont have to retard spark,turn GAV,pull choke,adj 3rd brush etc.As for me,the whole idea of having my A,s is to relive driving as it was back in the day.My only concession to modern traffic conditions is overdrive & 5.9 cyl head.

Patrick L. · 03-17-2012, 07:16 AM

A high compression cylinder head and an overdrive is OK, but, a voltage regulator isn't ?? Humm.....
Mike makes a good point.. I don't mind adjusting the third brush, its easy to do.. If driving is mostly during the day, the brush should be set to produce about 3-4 amps.. At night about 12-14 amps.. That brush can be set quickly while checking the oil.. Once done a couple times, you'll know how much to move it..

03-16-2012, 07:15 PM	#1
Airsho93 Member Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: MO Posts: 49	Amp meter readings normal Hey Guys, While I was driving around today my amp gauge was reading 10 amps. I know that is a bunch. So what I did was turn on my lights but the amp meter went to 0 or a little less depending on what beam I was on. Is this normal?

03-16-2012, 09:26 PM	#3
eagle Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Eagle Bend, MN Posts: 2,026	Re: Amp meter readings normal I too have the voltage regulator that replaces the cutout. Works just as paul says. I like to take night drives with the family and I had to adjust the 3rd brush before I went and when I got back because I didn't want to discharge the battery at night or overcharge it during the day. The voltage regulator pays for itself just in the extra life you get out of your battery.

03-16-2012, 09:31 PM	#4
Patrick L. Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Largo Florida Posts: 7,225	Re: Amp meter readings normal I'm a big fan of the regulator that Tom Wesenberg sells.. It replaces the third brush..

03-16-2012, 09:50 PM	#5
Jerry Parr WI Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 619	Re: Amp meter readings normal The proper method is to adjust the charge rate for your driving conditions by moving the generator third brush. The regulator does it for you. Just a modern convenience.

03-16-2012, 11:03 PM	#6
Airsho93 Member Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: MO Posts: 49	Re: Amp meter readings normal Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) I have Tom's info and will sending the money as soon as I get a bank check. I just had a birthday and got a little money.

03-16-2012, 11:34 PM	#7
Mike V. Florida Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: South Florida Posts: 14,054	Re: Amp meter readings normal 10 amps seems a little high to me for normal daytime driving. __________________ What's right about America is that although we have a mess of problems, we have great capacity - intellect and resources - to do some thing about them. - Henry Ford II

03-16-2012, 11:48 PM	#8
columbiA Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: B.C. Canada Posts: 1,746	Re: Amp meter readings normal If you want more modern conveniences,put in a Pinto or whatever & you wont have to retard spark,turn GAV,pull choke,adj 3rd brush etc.As for me,the whole idea of having my A,s is to relive driving as it was back in the day.My only concession to modern traffic conditions is overdrive & 5.9 cyl head.

03-17-2012, 07:16 AM	#9
Patrick L. Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Largo Florida Posts: 7,225	Re: Amp meter readings normal A high compression cylinder head and an overdrive is OK, but, a voltage regulator isn't ?? Humm..... Mike makes a good point.. I don't mind adjusting the third brush, its easy to do.. If driving is mostly during the day, the brush should be set to produce about 3-4 amps.. At night about 12-14 amps.. That brush can be set quickly while checking the oil.. Once done a couple times, you'll know how much to move it..