Ammeter

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  • willincalgary
    1st Gear
    • Mar 2008
    • 127

    Ammeter

    I have an ammeter in my combo gauge that has, for as long as I've known it, never measured anything. I can't remember looking the last time I had the gauge cluster out whether it was actually connected to anything, which might explain its lack of movement.
    The truck was originally a positive ground. It was converted to negative ground when the Delco alternator was installed. A later model year wiring harness was also installed. Is it actually that handy to have when you're running an alternator instead of a generator? I have a voltmeter in my gauge cluster so I can tell whether the alternator is keeping up with electrical demand. I've noticed from the Green Bible that when they went to a negative earth they did not include an ammeter, which might explain why my wiring harness may not connect to the ammeter.
    Is there a way to rig it up to work with a negative ground and is it worth it?
    ____________________________
    1959 Series II 88"
    "Grover"
  • LaneRover
    Overdrive
    • Oct 2006
    • 1743

    #2
    If you have a voltmeter instead of the ammeter that is a better set up from what I understand. I do not know if you could set up both or would even need to.
    1958 107 SW - Sold to a better home
    1965 109 SW - nearly running well
    1966 88 SW - running but needing attention
    1969 109 P-UP

    http://www.facebook.com/album.php?ai...2&l=64cfe23aa2

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    • Terrys
      Overdrive
      • May 2007
      • 1382

      #3
      If you have converted to negative ground, and still use a generator, all you need to do it reverse the two leads on the ammeter

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      • albersj51
        5th Gear
        • May 2010
        • 687

        #4
        Working off memory here, but depending on the alt output, it could fry the ammeter since it only measures to 20 or so amps. When I put my alt in, I disconnected the ammeter. A voltmeter is better with an alt.

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        • SafeAirOne
          Overdrive
          • Apr 2008
          • 3435

          #5
          Originally posted by albersj51
          Working off memory here, but depending on the alt output, it could fry the ammeter since it only measures to 20 or so amps. When I put my alt in, I disconnected the ammeter. A voltmeter is better with an alt.

          TeriAnn Explains it in the middle of this page.
          --Mark

          1973 SIII 109 RHD 2.5NA Diesel

          0-54mph in just under 11.5 minutes
          (9.7 minutes now that she's a 3-door).

          Comment

          • Terrys
            Overdrive
            • May 2007
            • 1382

            #6
            Ah, Yes, I missed the part about the conversion to an alternator. I can't remember what the current range of the original ammeter is, but it is possible to overload it if the new alternator has a greater capacity than the ammeter.

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