? using stock amp gauge with 12v?

M

mainiac239

Member
47 ford truck

i thought i read that a stock amp gauge will work fine after converting over to 12 volts, all you had to do was switch the posts or it would give a reverse reading.
there are no posts on the back of my amp gauge, the wire just runs through a metal collar, not even crimped?

thanks for any help
 
We we converted our 47 Merc from 6 volt to 12 volt, we sent our stock amp gauge out to be converted to a voltmeter 12 v. Hope this helps.

Bob- Hampshire, illinois
 
the wire passes thru a loop at the back side of the gauge witch reads current flow, you need reroute the wire to pass in the opposite direction thru the same loop as it is now othewise the gauge willl read backwards
 
mainiac239 said:
47 ford truck

i thought i read that a stock amp gauge will work fine after converting over to 12 volts, all you had to do was switch the posts or it would give a reverse reading.
there are no posts on the back of my amp gauge, the wire just runs through a metal collar, not even crimped?

thanks for any help
Click to expand...

Your amp gauge, with just a signal loop for the wire will work fine, as is. The wire needs to go through the loop, in the oposite direction, than it was when 6 volt, positive ground.....Ed
 
Amp meters read current and the voltage makes no difference. Generally 12V items will draw less current than 6V ones, usually about half. The switch from positive ground to negative ground causes the meter to read backwards not the voltage conversion.
 
Dave72dt said:
Running a higher amp system than original may peg the needle on your gauge.
Click to expand...

I just changed my 12volt converted generator to one of the new 'Genernators' (looks like a ford generator but is a one wire alternator in an enlarged aluminum case). I talked with the tech person at the manufacturer to get the proper hook up so my stock original ammeter would read correctly and ask about the amp limitations of the stock ammeter (mine has a loop pickup). He said it might peg at start up but if starting with a charged battery the internal regulator will immediately bring the needle to a proper charge level. It works just as advertised, puts out 65amps at just over idle (800 to 900 engine rpm) and more than 100amps if needed at speed. My 12volt converted gen could only manage 35 amps above 1800 engine rpms. With electric cooling fan, halogen lights, fogs, heater/defrost blower, electric wipers on, the gennie was about 20 amps behind and yesterday in a rainstorm I was using all those access. named. Arrived home with a fully charged Optima battery. I feel much better about driving from Pgh to Charlotte next week.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top