| RAK402 | -- 05-25-2016 @ 5:12 PM |
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If a person wanted to install an ammeter in a stock 1940 Ford to see if the generator/voltage regulator is working properly, where would one connect it? Also, how many amps should the generator be capable of putting out? Thank you all in advance.
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| 40 Coupe | -- 05-26-2016 @ 3:59 AM |
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The voltmeter supplied by Ford is a very good way to tell the generating system is working properly. IMO adding an ammeter is duplication, and a poor one, and may detract from appearance. The voltmeter measures the battery reserve where as the ammeter measures the generator output at any particular point in time. The original generator 01A-10000 is capable of 32 A. @ 1100 RPM
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| shogun1940 | -- 05-26-2016 @ 5:00 AM |
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They make an induction ammeter tha you can put next to any wire and measure the current going through the wire. Ammeters are wired in series not positive to negative. You would have to disconnect the main power wire comming into the car and connect one side to the ammeter and the other side back to original wire. A lot of current goes through this setup and that is why manufactures went to volt meters.
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| TomO | -- 05-26-2016 @ 8:12 AM |
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An ammeter measures the current in the system, not the generator output. An example is when the headlights are off and the battery is fully charged, the ammeter needle will point to a small amount of current in the negative direction at idle and the positive direction as the engine speed increases. When you turn on the headlights, the ammeter shows a discharge at idle, because the current is flowing from the battery. When you increase the engine speed, the needle will go in the positive direction as the generator output exceeds the draw the lights have. These readings can be present, even if the battery is bad. The voltmeter is a much better indicator of the generator and battery condition. With a fully charged battery, the needle will rest near the junction of the yellow and green sections of the gauge. When the light are turned on, the meter will still show the fully charged condition. When the battery needs a charge, the meter will read higher into the green area, showing the higher voltage of the generator as it provides amperage to charge the battery. If the generator is not providing a charging current and voltage, the meter will read in the yellow and eventually go to the red on the low end. If the regulator is not working correctly, the meter will continue through the green area to the red area at the high end. Tom
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| RAK402 | -- 05-26-2016 @ 9:30 AM |
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Thank you all for the responses. I just wanted to do this for test purposes, so it sounds like the inductive one is the way to go. My voltage regulator failed (the cut out never closed at any RPM) and I was looking to obtain data for setting the new one. Thank you all again!
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| TomO | -- 05-27-2016 @ 7:39 AM |
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The new voltage regulator should not need any adjustment. If it needs any adjustment, it should be set with a test set that will apply the correct values of voltage to each of the relays for adjustment. Incorrect adjustment can result in burning out the generator or overheating the battery. Overheating the battery can result in the battery exploding. Make sure that your new regulator is properly grounded and watch your voltmeter to ensure that the generator is charging the battery. If it is not, find an automotive electric shop and ask them if they can test and adjust your regulator. Tom
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