Installing ampmeter on ford 1100

[brianMO]

Over the weekend I installed a pod of gauges which included an ampmeter. It was a no-brainer until I started looking at the various diagrams for automobile applications. Before I went into experimentational mode I thought I would ask if somebody could fill me in on the details. I believe I have an regulator external to my altenator. Can anybody help me?

Brian
Missouri

 

[Soundguy]

Install your ammeter in a net charge / discharge setup so that you canmonitor charge in and discharge out of the battery.

Go to this website myoldfords and take a look at the ammeter placements in the diagrams.

These are all gasser diagrams.. but the circuit 'plumbing' is relevant to your situation.

Soundguy

 

[brianMO]

Thanks,

I will check that web site out.

thx

 

[TractorLegend]

Ammeters go in series from the large wire off the alternator or generator to the battery (B+, not the regulator wires) to measure current on this line.
Modern autos have gotten away from ammeters and went to volt guages because a volt guage is not intrusive on the B+ wire in series.
A bad ammeter will result in no current flow to recharge the battery. MOST ammeters are capable of only 60 amps max. Older Dodges were famous for burning out the ammeter on the dash and needing to be towed in for repairs.
This is FREE generic charging system info.

 

[Soundguy]

One thing to remember.. if you are just sticking the ammeter inline with the charge wire though, is to put it 'closer' to the battery, than other electrical loads .. that way you are showing 'net' charge.. etc... and not simply 'total' amperage out of the alternator or generator.. as would be the case if the ammeter is installed 'before' other electrical lods are tapped into the power line.

Soundguy

 

[Soundguy]

One thing I forgot to mention.. I'm refering to an 'ammeter'.. not an 'amperage' gauge... 2 different beasts..

Soundguy

 

[MMM]

Be careful with that installation. I just had ammeter (autometer brand) short to ground and burnt oil, fuel and temp guage set wiring during a brief shower. Could have caused serious fire with the oil pressure tube squirting profusely.. I elected to remove idiot light sender and install trans temp guage in ammeter's place. I also went back with steel tubing on oil pressure guage. The ammeter just isn't that important anymore.

 

[Soundguy]

Got to check those insulating gromets, and insulation offsets.. etc.

Soundguy

 

[MMM]

The short happened at the panel itself. Maybe a good idea to ground panel and use a fuse in ammeter wire. It's not worth the uneasiness it causes me now though. I even got rid of all the backlighting. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif That was a lot of smoke.

 

[TractorLegend]

A fuse/ fusible link a great idea---make it a rating just above max alternator amperage. Theres maxi-fuses used on autos capable of such (40,60,80,100 amp)
Dont be afraid to beef up the B+ wire from alternator to battery on the oldies---they were notoriously anemic guage. Alot of 60 amp alternators were running say a 12 guage wire. Thats fine at battery maintenance loads (up to 35 amps) then the wire starts to get warm upon increased amp flow. While an alternator should never be used to charge dead or almost dead batteries, sometimes it happens. A weak battery calls for more amps which means more "heat" on a smaller wire.