Ammeter - Needle

Original Ammeter
 

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This link to Vince's site has good photos.
http://www.fordgarage.com/pages/ammetertool.htm

The ammeters were about the best product for the price ever made. It's too bad that most of the reproductions aren't as sensitive as the originals. The freedom of needle movement was excellent on the old originals but modern reproductions, not so much.
 
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The needle is part of a D'Arsonval Movement which reacts to the magnetic field around the horseshoe shaped bar when current flows through the bar. The movement is very sensitive, so any change in friction or unbalance of the centering springs will cause the ammeter to have an erroneous reading. This is a job for someone with the steadiness of a watch maker or jeweler. My recommendation is to find a better gauge.
 
The newer reproduction ammeters are basically junk. If you tip it forward the needle falls off and you have to pull the cover off to put it back on. It's too bad they bother to make this junk. Even the vendors don't like them, but they are all that's available right now as far as I know.
 
The needle should be attached in some way to the spindle of the rocking armature or it could slip on the spindle and not return to the zero indication.

Is this a reproduction ammeter?
 
Designs changed over the years. Could look original but might be a replacement. While I am not sure, could have been more then one company making the meters for Ford. If it has Ford on the face, it is not original. It would be a replacement/aftermarket. Suggest posting a photo of what you are working on so everyone can be on the same page.
 
Has anyone used the Ammeter that nurex sells? Pretty spendy at $80 but they say it's US made.
 
whirnot said:
Has anyone used the Ammeter that nurex sells? Pretty spendy at $80 but they say it's US made.
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Bill, I have not tried them as I felt these were old NORS units and not something they were manufacturing today. The initial turn-off for me was the number plate was incorrect along with the plating, but for someone that was needing a quality 30-30 meter instead of a 20-20, then they would likely be a value.
 
If there's more than 15A through the meter either direction there's something wrong. It measures only battery current. 20-20 is appropriate for any model A vehicle, unless the wiring has been modified.
 
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