Don,
If you look at wiring diagrams for late model cars (Camaro) they usually use a
10 gage wire to from the ammeter to the battery and from the ammeter to the
alternator (generator). The only time it will need to carry full current is
when the battery is completely dead and the alternator is cranking out full
current. Normally, when the battery is reasonably charged, there will be lower
current passed through the wires.
What this means is you can probably get away with a 14 gage wire as long as your
battery is nicely charged and you aren't drawing much current for accessories.
However, when the battery is low, it's raining and you have your heater and
windshield wipers going, you could easily fry the wires or blow a fuse.
I'd change it to 10 gage VERY SOON.
Jon Elerath
Mgr., Reliability Engineering
SSD HDD Server Technology
Ext: 408-256-7192
Tie: 276-7192
jelerath@us.ibm.com
Don <dhartman@sunvalley.net> on 10/01/99 11:21:29 AM
Please respond to Don <dhartman@sunvalley.net>
To: oletrucks@autox.team.net
cc:
Subject: [oletrucks] Ammeter current?
Hello- Anyone know off the top of your head what the average load is on
the ammeter wire that is connected to the starter solenoid on a '55 2nd
w/out 55 amp generator equipment? I overheated this wire while
cranking/carb tuning, and replaced it with new 14 ga. multi-strand CCP
tinned copper, and put a fuse in line. I blow 15 amp fuses, and expect
that the load is normally higher than that, but would like to run this by
everyone for input.
Real electrical nerds could probably even tell me the current carrying
capacity of that wire type under 12-15v DC conditions at 70 deg F.
Thanks for any ideas...
Don
'55 2nd DeLuxe
oletrucks is devoted to Chevy and GM trucks built between 1941 and 1959
oletrucks is devoted to Chevy and GM trucks built between 1941 and 1959
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