Original Ammeter
- Thread starter jkcrosson
- Start date
glenn in camino
Well-known member
On an original, you can't see the brass piece at the back. I think it's a repo.
160B
Well-known member
It is REPO
The back is not correct. See the attached photo of an original front and back. Look at the insulators on the back, the bezel, the lettering, the shape of the pointer, the nuts, and numbers. And no brass internals showing.
Tom Wesenberg
Well-known member
What is wrong with your original? Finish, or function? Or both?
Purdy Swoft
Well-known member
I remember the box and ammeter pictured above. The best that I remember, this is the ammeter that was sold by many of the model A parts houses in the sixties and seventies. This is a repro 26-27 model T part that can also be used on the model A. The model T was negative ground. If this ammeter is used on a positive ground model A you will have to reverse the wires or it will register backwards. I've used this type of ammeter many times over the years. They fit the instrument panel better and don't come apart like the ammeters that are now offered.
Michael Cooper
Junior Member
I'm going to change my original 20-20 ammeter for a cheep chinese 30amp because this is about what the gen puts out at full power. This is needed to run haligen tail lights (x2) and normal headlights. When the lights are not going during the day the poor needle disapairs on the charge side and condesation apears on the glass(not good). Of cause running the park lights brings the needle back into sight as long as the brain is fully engaged.
Marco Tahtaras
Well-known member
It is REPO
The back is not correct. See the attached photo of an original front and back. Look at the insulators on the back, the bezel, the lettering, the shape of the pointer, the nuts, and numbers. And no brass internals showing.
Is it just the pic? The face plate lettering looks white instead of aluminum.
Tom Wesenberg
Well-known member
Are you running an alternator? The limit on the Model A generator is about 15 amps.
BTW, my 28 has the stock taillight and is plenty bright. At night I just glance back to make sure it's lit and I can see the road very well lit in back. Some people use LED's for the taillights since they are also bright and don't draw much current.
Tom Wesenberg
Well-known member
Here is my original 1928 ammeter and it also looks white in the picture. I also have a photo of a June 1928 Tudor ammeter and it also appears white in pictures.
Michael Cooper
Junior Member
Tom
I think my gen is a late 30-31, with the 3rd brush pushed right down when running at night,
I have bright tail lights as we live rural, no street lighting or much traffic. Only having one 5watt tail light dos't give conferdace with cars gaining on you at speeds oftern above 100kph (60mph)
We have a 28 ragtop pickup with a drum tail light, hav'nt seen LEDs for them yet, would change!
I think my gen is a late 30-31, with the 3rd brush pushed right down when running at night,
I have bright tail lights as we live rural, no street lighting or much traffic. Only having one 5watt tail light dos't give conferdace with cars gaining on you at speeds oftern above 100kph (60mph)
We have a 28 ragtop pickup with a drum tail light, hav'nt seen LEDs for them yet, would change!
Tom Wesenberg
Well-known member
Michael, do a Google search for "brightlights" or "britelights" and you'll probably find 6 volt LED bulbs that fit the drum taillight.
d.j. moordigian
Well-known member
What about this one? Note the part number in the lower left corner...
160B
Well-known member
Here is an excerpt from the Model A Ford Judging Standards and Restoration Guidelines Area 6 Instruments and Controls page 6-2 Revised 2011. Under the paragraph on Ammeter
“The pointer on the gauge came in two different styles ........... and may appear brighter than the scale on the face.”
Also here are two photos of the ammeter in my 1931S/W Town Sedan, I acquired in 1998 with 60,000 original miles.
It appears to be a combination of the "may appear brighter " and the photos.
160B
Well-known member
This ammeter has the different style lettering, but otherwise looks the same to me and just like the JS statesWhat about this one? Note the part number in the lower left corner...
“The pointer on the gauge came in two different styles (see photo) and may appear brighter than the scale on the face.”