Amp meter question

Bob from Northport

Bob from Northport

Well-known member
Just installed a new meter in a customers car today-meter not functioning at all. I realize it's not the supplier's fault.
Anyone know of a seller that supplies reliable amp meters??

Thanks!!
 
if you replaced the old because it did not work and the new one don't work maybe you have different problem.
 
We replaced it because installing a new alternator on the car called for a 30 amp meter.
Yes, we checked for current flow-the other meter was working.
My question was concerning the quality of meters made in China, and if anyone knew of a reliable supplier for a meter.
 
Bob from Northport said:
We replaced it because installing a new alternator on the car called for a 30 amp meter.
Yes, we checked for current flow-the other meter was working.
My question was concerning the quality of meters made in China, and if anyone knew of a reliable supplier for a meter.
Click to expand...
You can use the 20 amp gauge if you run a jumper wire between the two terminals on the ammeter to carry some (maybe half?) of the current. Depending upon the wiring diagram for your car you might be able to do this at the terminal box on the firewall. The ammeter won't read correctly but you should be able to adjust for that in your mind.

Charlie Stephens
 
The ammeter only show how much electricity the car is using. The need for a 30 amp meter only become a concern if the car is going to use more then 20 amps. What else is in the car that would need more then 20 amps?
 
prolly nothing unless he has AC, in which case the condenser fan and the evap blower do use up some juice. Now turn on the headlites and you are past 20 A
 
Mike V. Florida said:
The ammeter only show how much electricity the car is using. The need for a 30 amp meter only become a concern if the car is going to use more then 20 amps. What else is in the car that would need more then 20 amps?
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How about a low battery because he left the lights on? Another area of concern is that if the fan belt us tight enough to let the alternator produce 30 amps it would probably wear out the water pump bearing.

Charlie Stephens
 
Is there not a reason that vehicles with generators use Amp meters and vehicles with alternators use volt meters. Alternators have the ability to charge nearly nothing if nothing is needed, as in a fully charged battery situation. Going from a 20 amp meter to a 30 amp makes a one amp charge nearly undetectable to the eye. There is more to it than just that though, time to get out the books.
 
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