Ampmeter not charging

cp5491r

cp5491r

Senior Member
I'm a novice.
Original 6 volt model A system with generator.
The ampmeter won't show a charge when running/driving the car. It does show discharge when I use the horn. Any likely causes? I replaced the cutout.
Thanks!
 
Original style generator? If so have you adjusted the generator output by moving the adjustable brushes? Chap
 
The modern reproduction ammeters are not as sensitive nor as accurate but they will function adequately. I recommend that folks not use the plastic covered finger nuts and just use regular nuts with lock washers. A loose connection will do damage to the meter.

As was mentioned previously, the 3-brush generator may need the 3rd brush adjusted to a happy place for best function. Ford recommended that an accurate ammeter be placed in the output line when adjusting the amperage output. Some folks adjust for daytime operation and some for night time operation. It depends on how much night driving is done. A person should run with lights on all the time for high output or the battery may be overcharged.

If the generator isn't functioning then it won't show a charge. A person has to make sure it's working so an adjustment of the brush is a place to start. Make sure all connections between the battery and generator are clean and tight. The battery is what regulates the voltage so this is critical.
 
Thanks for those great suggestions. It is an original style generator and the car only gets driven about once a year (I'm bad) so the connections is also a great suggestion. Thanks!
 
If the car has sat for a long time the field coils may have lost their magnetism, and you can try to polarize the generator by touching a jumper wire to both sides of the cutout for a second. This will send current through the field coils which will re-establish the latent magnetism in the coil cores.
 
Could be that the cutout is not working. With the engine running put a jumper wire across the two connections on the cutout and check the ammeter to see if it shows a charge.
 
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