Not an Electrician

[Deleted User]
edited November -1 in HUDSON
:confused:I purchased some new SW gauges so I could tell what is really going on. The idiot lights work but all it tells me is I an idiot. I'm trying to hook up the ammeter gauge and thought I might hook it to the generator to get a proper read. It's a 41 Commodore 6 Sedan. I need a little ( lot of ) help. Thanks.

Comments

  • Connect one wire to the voltage regulator battery connection and the other wire on the solenoid negative leading to the battery. I hope this helps you.



    Gary
  • Park_W
    Park_W Senior Contributor
    I'd forget about an ammeter and install a voltmeter instead. If the voltage reading is above that of the battery, the battery's getting charged, and that's what you want to know. One problem with an automotive type ammeter is that the circuit from VR to battery now has to run rearward into the "cockpit" to the ammeter, then back to the battery or starter solenoid. That's several feet of wire and the associated voltage loss when the generator or alternator is charging. A voltmeter draws only a teensy bit of current, so doesn't have any ill effect on the system. When the engine's running at moderate speed or better, you should read about 7 volts; and about 14 for a 12v system. If that's what you're seeing, all's well.
  • hudsontech
    hudsontech Senior Contributor
    I've noticed, over the years, more and more cars are using voltmeters vs ammeters (those that use gauges, that is) they used to use years ago. Not sure when the big switch aroo started - just one of those things you one day notice and say "how 'bout that!!! When'd that happen!!" My '97 Caddy used a digital ammeter readout on the dash - but you had to select it with a button you pushed. Trouble with that car is everything read off that digital readout, but you only could show one thing at a time. So, the choice was pretty simple - you set it to the engine coolant temp because that era Caddy had a junk pile for an engine and they tended to blow head gaskets which lead to overheating. Which is why I am driving a $2300 1997 Oldsmobile these days and the Caddy has been relagted to who knows where or even cares. With temps in the past month being in the high 90's I'm sure that Caddy would have cooked itself more than once.



    Was a nice car and a great long distance runner - when it didn't overheat.



    Hudsonly,

    Alex Burr

    Memphis, TN

    http://hetclub.org/burr
  • Richard E.
    Richard E. Senior Contributor
    So Park, enlighten us here, how do you hook up a voltmeter on a 6v pos ground car (Hudson)? I took one off of my '50C6 when I tore it down to rebuild and I can't remember how it was hooked up. Thank you :)



    Also, does it hook up the same way with alternator or generator?
  • Geoff
    Geoff Senior Contributor
    Voltmeter is real easy to connect. Just put the negative wire on the "Bat" terminal of the voltage regulator, and the positive wire to ground. You don't have to disconnect anything else anywhere. As Park says, if the reading is around 7 to 7.5 volts max when the generator is charging everything is hunky dory.
  • Richard E.
    Richard E. Senior Contributor
    Thank you, Geoff!
  • Park_W
    Park_W Senior Contributor
    You'll not want the meter "on" all the time, so best to connect it to the ignition switch or an ignition switch-fed item nearby, instead of to the BAT teminal on the VR. (i.e., voltmeter neg terminal to ignition; pos terminal to a convenient ground under the dash.)
  • I agree 100% with Walt and Geoff....use a volt guage. I did that when I switched my wasp over to 12 volts and it tells me exactly what I need to know.....how much voltage is going to my battery. I don't care about amps.
  • Geoff
    Geoff Senior Contributor
    Park W wrote:
    You'll not want the meter "on" all the time, so best to connect it to the ignition switch or an ignition switch-fed item nearby, instead of to the BAT teminal on the VR. (i.e., voltmeter neg terminal to ignition; pos terminal to a convenient ground under the dash.)

    You are correct of course Park. However, the voltmeter would consume about as much current as an electric clock, and I have never found that a problem in either the Hornet or Jet. Better safe than sorry though, and your advice is worthwhile.
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