ammeter

[tedregentin]

Is there a way to make an amp gage that the output from the alternator goes to the gage and then to the battery show that the alternator is charging? I am installing a delco one wire alternator.
Thanks,
Ted

 

[John T]

Thay make 60 amp and even much larger ammeters suitable for an alternator, based on its rating. With an older 20 or 30 amp ammeter a modern alternator could (based on battery state and alternator and voltage regulation and RPM) initially peg it. SUPPLY side of ammeter to battery, LOAD side to alternators output and lights and ignition etc. A voltmeter can also provide good information, some use one others even use both (ammeter plus voltmeter) YOUR CHOICE. Most all alternators use NEG ground so wire the ammeter accordingly, if bass ackwards simply swap sides...

John T

 

[Steve@Advance]

If your replacing a generator, and there is already an amp gauge, you can splice the output wire from the alternator to the BAT wire that was on the regulator.

If you had to reverse the polarity, you will need to reverse the wires on the amp gauge.

 

[Janicholson]

If you put the gauge in series with the wire connecting the alt to the battery, it will only read charging amps. When lights or other loads are applied, it will not show discharge. (that is even if the tractor is not running. If you attach its output to the load side of the amp gauge and all other loads there as well, and have only a single 10gauge wire from the gauge to the battery supply (usually at the starter switch battery connection) it will show both charge and discharge. Jim

 

[MARK ROBKE]

I once worked on a Peterbilt (fully equipped with every gauge known to mankind) in the '80s that had an amp gauge, which was not reading. It was set up with a shunt wire that bypassed most of the load from going thru the gauge. I was unfamiliar with it and had to go thru a wiring diagram to figure it out, and locate the open shunt wire. Mark.

 

[Janicholson]

Working for IH medium duty we had a Scout that charged when it was not running and the lights were on, and discharged when running. The connections were reversed at the shunt! Nasty. Jim

 

[KD Cannon]

The Delco one wire alternator mentioned here, is that the 10si? When purchasing one, say at NAPA, is that all they need to know to supply you with an alternator for your tractor?