Ammeter 30-30
- Thread starter metalho
- Start date
MikeK
Well-known member
The ammeter in an A only shows BATTERY charge/discharge, not generator or alternator output. Even if you had a 200 amp alternator and a light bar with ten halogens on it, if your battery is fully charged the ammeter will say ZERO even though the alternator is putting out 200 amps.
You cannot damage a stock A ammeter even if you run thirty amps through it. The internal shunt on the stock 20A and the 30A meters is identical, only the calibration is different. The stock A wiring will, however, start smoking (think Lucas
) is you run 30 amps through it for more than 10 minutes. Having a dead flat battery will draw ~25-30 Amps from an alternator for about 10 minutes then it will taper to less than 20, finally to zero when the battery is 100% charged. This will not hurt a stock ammeter.
Generator or alternator, any output rating, there is no difference if you use a 20 or 30 amp meter. The disadvantage to the 30 is it is difficult to "see" a 2 or 3 amp discharge as the needle is less sensitive.
The biggest waste of money is the big "sell" to make you think you need a larger ammeter with an alternator.
You cannot damage a stock A ammeter even if you run thirty amps through it. The internal shunt on the stock 20A and the 30A meters is identical, only the calibration is different. The stock A wiring will, however, start smoking (think Lucas
) is you run 30 amps through it for more than 10 minutes. Having a dead flat battery will draw ~25-30 Amps from an alternator for about 10 minutes then it will taper to less than 20, finally to zero when the battery is 100% charged. This will not hurt a stock ammeter. Generator or alternator, any output rating, there is no difference if you use a 20 or 30 amp meter. The disadvantage to the 30 is it is difficult to "see" a 2 or 3 amp discharge as the needle is less sensitive.
The biggest waste of money is the big "sell" to make you think you need a larger ammeter with an alternator.
Mike V. Florida
Well-known member
A 30 amp alt only means that it CAN put out 30 amps. It does not mean that your car will USE 30 amps at any given time.
The amp meter will show what current is flowing so unless you have equipment that will draw more than 20 amps at a time even the 30 amp meter is not needed.
700rpm
Well-known member
The ammeter in an A only shows BATTERY charge/discharge, not ugenerator or alternator output. Even if you had a 200 amp alternator and a light bar with ten halogens on it, if your battery is fully charged the ammeter will say ZERO even though the alternator is putting out 200 amps.
You cannot damage a stock A ammeter even if you run thirty amps through it. The internal shunt on the stock 20A and the 30A meters is identical, only the calibration is different. The stock A wiring will, however, start smoking (think Lucas
Generator or alternator, any output rating, there is no difference if you use a 20 or 30 amp meter. The disadvantage to the 30 is it is difficult to "see" a 2 or 3 amp discharge as the needle is less sensitive.
The biggest waste of money is the big "sell" to make you think you need a larger ammeter with an alternator.
I think the biggest waste of money is the big "sell" to make you think you need an alternator.
If you're running a stock A the generator does just fine.
MikeK
Well-known member
I think the biggest waste of money is the big "sell" to make you think you need an alternator.
Yup.
Purdy Swoft
Well-known member
I also prefer the generator because its correct and because I can repair-rebuild them myself. Many find the three brush type generator confusing. The alternator costs less than a rebuilt generator and the person doesn't have to ship a core for exchange. Some think that they can get an alternator, anywhere. Actually an alternator thats converted for 6 volt positive ground and has the correct pulley isn't necessarily available just anywhere.
Purdy Swoft
Well-known member
I just got a real nasty PM from pattyteddy because I said that I prefer generators. I suspect that it was mr alternator. the guy obviously has problems. I wonder if others are getting the same PM's
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montanafordman
Well-known member
Yep! I'm in the club too. I don't think he was happy with me calling out who he was and his business. What a shame, I had seriously considered buying an alternator from him on good reports of his fathers product and practices, now I wouldn't recommend him to anyone and actually do the opposite. Life is too short to be nasty to others.
Back to the ammeter discussion - I know many people who run alternators with a stock gauge with no issues. If you keep your battery in good shape you'll never go outside that anyway I would assume unless you're running sealed beams, AC, CB radio etc. with a run down battery.
Mike V. Florida
Well-known member
I did as well. I envision this guy sitting in the dark thinking of new names to use to register (I have messages from several) the laughing at himself as he sends the messages thinking "that will get him, he will never know who sent it, hee hee hee". Poor pathetic soul.
huddy
Senior Member
I've currently got a 6v pos grnd alternator, thought about converting it to 12v neg grnd, bought the kit to do it (it's pretty simple). Then I posted a question on this forum and the responses changed my mind. In fact, I found a correct generator and plan to install it in the spring. The generator should work fine, as I don't plan to add accessories or halogen headlights. And- it has the benefit of getting me closer to the original. I guess I figure, what's the point of having a vintage car if it's not really vintage?
Mike V. Florida
Well-known member
There we go!
Purdy Swoft
Well-known member
pattyteddy doesn't even show up on the member list.
Carl, I went back and looked at the PM , its really funny. Under the name pattyteddy is banned posts 0 , so thats what happened.
whirnot
Well-known member
Yep, I found myself with a worn out generator, and didn't think for a minute, just picked up the phone, called Berts and told them to set one aside for me.
CarlG
Well-known member
pattyteddy doesn't even show up on the member list.
He must have been on only long enough to get a couple of PM's in before the cops caught up with him!
