High ammeter reading? FOLLOW - UP

Gary/IA

Gary/IA

Senior Member
I just noticed that the ammeter reading now stays at about 18 and doesn't come back to zero. The ammeter has been indicating normal operation until today. The battery is new and seems fully charged. I am using a 6volt + ground alternator.

I know we have some very knowledgeable people about this subject on Fordbarn, I am not one of them. I would appreciate any suggestions as how to proceed to trouble shoot this problem.

Thanks in advance for any suggestions.

Discovered the battery was actually low. I evidently left the lights on :o, someone turned them off later. When I discovered this I checked the battery and it was down. Everything was working as it should except me:(.
 
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Re: High ammeter reading?

Gary/IA said:
I just noticed that the ammeter reading now stays at about 18 and doesn't come back to zero. The ammeter has been indicating normal operation until today. The battery is new and seems fully charged. I am using a 6volt + ground alternator.

I know we have some very knowledgeable people about this subject on Fordbarn, I am not one of them. I would appreciate any suggestions as how to proceed to trouble shoot this problem.

Thanks in advance for any suggestions.
Click to expand...

Gary, I assume you have tried moving the brush that adjusts the charging rate?
 
Re: High ammeter reading?

Hoarse : He is using a 6V alternator.

My first move would be to throw a volt meter across the alternator and see what voltage its producing. I think on a 6V system it should be 7-8v?
 
Re: High ammeter reading?

There's another thread on here that may be on topic. Mentioned that a high reading at the ammeter indicates that the internal voltage regulator is failing. See post 29 on "Curious Question on Alternator.
 
Re: High ammeter reading?

Is the ammeter getting hot to the touch? A loose or poor connection at the ammeter or the battery cables could be the problem.
 
Gary/IA said:
I just noticed that the ammeter reading now stays at about 18 and doesn't come back to zero. The ammeter has been indicating normal operation until today. The battery is new and seems fully charged. I am using a 6volt + ground alternator.

I know we have some very knowledgeable people about this subject on Fordbarn, I am not one of them. I would appreciate any suggestions as how to proceed to trouble shoot this problem.

Thanks in advance for any suggestions.

Discovered the battery was actually low. I evidently left the lights on :o, someone turned them off later. When I discovered this I checked the battery and it was down. Everything was working as it should except me:(.
Click to expand...
When the battery is REALLY fully charged the charge rate will begin to cut back! Don't worry, as the alternator is doing what it was commissioned to do.
 
18 amps from an alternator isn't that much.. If it doesn't start to cut back after a while then I'd get concerned.. If you don't want to wait for the alternator to do its job just charge the battery and see if that helps..
 
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