Ammeter Accuracy - 05/21/17 08:21 PM
Having lots of fun driving around town in our' 37 Master Coupe. I have put about 120 miles on it with only a few minor issues.
What are your observations with respect to in-dash ammeter accuracy? Here is the situation I have.
Based on information in some prior posts and the '37 Engineering Specs I wanted to confirm that the generator was providing the right output. When I rebuilt the generator I set the 3rd brush at 2 commutator bars from the main brush.
I was concerned because the dash ammeter was showing 15-16 amps with no lights and over 20 amps with the head light switch in the second position (no resistor). With the lights on it does show a slight plus charge. This car does have a sealed beam 6v headlights and I have put the higher candle power bulbs in the brake and tail lights.
I connected an ammeter directly to the battery side of the cutout on the generator. I was getting about 14 amps with the lights off and about 19 with them on. Remember that the ammeter has already subtracted the ignition and fuel gauge load (about 2-3 amps).
Based on that difference I connected a different ammeter and got readings within 1 amp of the first one. I am also getting about 7.9 volts which I feel is very acceptable.
Should I be concerned with the what seem to be high reading from the in-dash ammeter? Am i getting too much from the generator and running the risk of overheating it?
Thanks for the help.
What are your observations with respect to in-dash ammeter accuracy? Here is the situation I have.
Based on information in some prior posts and the '37 Engineering Specs I wanted to confirm that the generator was providing the right output. When I rebuilt the generator I set the 3rd brush at 2 commutator bars from the main brush.
I was concerned because the dash ammeter was showing 15-16 amps with no lights and over 20 amps with the head light switch in the second position (no resistor). With the lights on it does show a slight plus charge. This car does have a sealed beam 6v headlights and I have put the higher candle power bulbs in the brake and tail lights.
I connected an ammeter directly to the battery side of the cutout on the generator. I was getting about 14 amps with the lights off and about 19 with them on. Remember that the ammeter has already subtracted the ignition and fuel gauge load (about 2-3 amps).
Based on that difference I connected a different ammeter and got readings within 1 amp of the first one. I am also getting about 7.9 volts which I feel is very acceptable.
Should I be concerned with the what seem to be high reading from the in-dash ammeter? Am i getting too much from the generator and running the risk of overheating it?
Thanks for the help.