Tim, current (amps) must be read in series with the circuit. If your car did
not come with an ammeter, I'd guess it's probably not connected right. If
it was working before and then stopped working, then you've got another
problem somewhere. Does your battery go dead or loose it's charge? One way
to check if your car is charging (this method is not for the timid) is to
start the car and set it to idle around 1500-2000 RPM. Then loosen the
ground cable on the battery until you can pull it off the terminal. If the
car keeps running, the alternator is putting out something. You can also try
turning on the headlights and blower motor to put a load on the system to
see if it keeps up with the demand. A good alternator will have more than
enough power to run all the accessories and still be able to charge your
battery.
Sergio
1967 Sunbeam Alpine
Series V 'AJNT 86'
still working on it but getting closer (yea right)!
----- Original Message -----
From: Tim Beloney <65_s5v6(at)prontomail.com>
To: <Joseph.Rodriguez2(at)PSS.Boeing.com>; <alpines(at)autox.team.net>;
<tigers(at)autox.team.net>
Sent: Saturday, January 29, 2000 7:27 PM
Subject: charging
> Yet another issue.
> My battery doesn't seem to be getting a charge. I have a dash
> ammeter that shows no action. There's a single wire from the
> alternator to the ammeter, then another from the ammeter to where the
> battery cables connect. One of my guesses is that the source is the
> connection to the alternator.
> There are 3 connections for wires on the alt. The top one reads D+,
> the bottom B+, and the center is not labled. The wire going to the
> ammeter is connected to the center connector. The other two are not
> used, which doesn't seem right.
> The manual only shows the use of the original wiring harness for the
> alternator, with no descriptions of D+, B+, etc.
> Another guess is that the ammeter is somehow dead and causing a short.
>
> Any ideas?
>
> Thanks again,
>
> Tim
>
>
>
This archive was generated by hypermail 2b30 : Tue Sep 05 2000 - 08:47:42 CDT