Hi Jarrid
I must take exception to both of your ammeter posts..
Classically automotive ammeters read the battery current.
If the electrial system is working properly a zero reading is
normally correct.
In the event of your short you are not going to get "hundreds of
ammps" out of the alternator.. but it will limit at about 35 A
(with the Lucas 10AC alternator in a Series V) and then you will
see a large discharge from the battery which will indicate on the ammeter.
As long as the alternator can keep up with the load current we should
be happy. It is when we get extended charge or discharge that we know
something is wrong.
In normal opreration I would expect to see a charge reading up to 35 A
imediatly after starting whigh quickly decrease (in a minuite or two)
to zero, to make up for the starter discharge. While running with stock
equipment a zero reading is normal. If you have installed extra loads..
big fog lights ... a big sterio... etc a discharge (-) reading indicates
the small alternator can't keep up and they are discharging the battery.
If the engine stops the ammeter now reads the full load current as
the alternator is not putting out any current.
If the alternnator fails a large discharge indicates no uotput current
as above. A large non decreasing charge current indicates a battery
or regulator failure. This is the most usefull function as over charging
is a sure way to rapidly kill a battery
In your reply the text suggests you want to measure the alternator output
current. This will varry dramatically as the loads change and will never
indicate discharge due to the rectifier diodes in the alternator.
Your schematic at the bottem is wrong. It will damage the ammeter the
first time the car is started. The starter will try to draw up to 300A
from the battery through the meter... :-(
Jarrid's schematic;
<Heres a crude schematic
<<alt B+>-------------(+ ammeter -)------------+(solenoid)
<|
<|___________(battery)
<|
<|___________(Fuse panel)
My crude attmpt at a correct ASCII schematic
new stud existing studs
Alt B+ -----------------O----- + Ammeter - ----- O solenoid O --- stsrter
red wire | |
| |
/ \ |
/ \ Battery +
4TR Fuse
Regulator (loads)
I have made this mod to 3 of my series Vs. It has been functional
in one for over 25 years!
Steve F
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Steve Finberg W1GSL w1gsl(at)mit.edu
PO Box 397082 MIT Br Cambridge MA 02139-7082 617 258 3754
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