1939 Pickup Gauges

Barry53

Barry53

Junior Member
The set of gauges for my 39 pickup has a battery level indicator(H,N,L) I have seen a amp gauge for a 39 with the level of charge. What gauge should the 39 pickup have (batt or Amp). Presumely the batt level gauge should be wired differently from a amp gauge
 
In 1939 Ford used an ammeter with the 3 brush generator and voltmeter with the 2 brush generator. In cars, the 2 brush was for radio equipped cars and may have been an option. The gauge you have is the voltmeter. The 2 brush generator is much better than the 3 brush and the 3 brush has a max. output of only about 15 amps at 6 volts.
 
I have seen both setups used on 39 pickups and panel deliveries. Perhaps they changed during the model year? My 39 panel used the same gauges as the 39 Standard...the brown face ones. If you need a gauge, I have NOS ones...both the battery gauge and the amp gauge for a Standard.
 
the story I get is that the 39 started with the battery gauge and changed sometime during the year. I have the battery gauge and no regulator
 
Reason I asked about the gauges is that I am in the process of rewing the pickup with help, Would the battery level/voltmeter gauge be wired in differently from the ammeter. It looks like a ammeter is wired directly to generator, where the battery gauge is wired via the ignition switch
 
Barry, a volt meter is high resistance, and when used as a tool it can go accross the circuit (Live to earth- in parrellel)(any where safely) and will give you the voltage at that point. An ammeter is different and has very low resistance, and must be connected in series. If it is connected in parrellel, effectively a dead short will occur (Bang!) The ammeter (usually) shows current draw(negative on one side) and the charge rate (positive side) and is wired in first(after the starter solenoid) before anything else including the ign sw., lights main feed etc.
The volt meter is usually wired at the output side of the ign switch, so that it is not drawing power when the key is off.
An ammeter has a fat wire, a volt meter has a skinny wire.
 
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