adjustment necessary or electrical short ??

Unknown

Hi all. I have a 26 Hudson and I recently made a change to the electrical system.



Before the change, when I turned on the key, the ammeter would bounce slightly to the negative side. Expected when you turn the key on. When it was running, it would move to the positive side, maybe in the 10 amp range. I thought that maybe the ammeter was having troubles, and was considering changing that out. However, I realized that the cutout switch on the generator may not be original.



So, I purchased a NOS cutout switch and installed it. Now, when I attach the battery, the ammeter goes to about -20, but on the good side, when the car is running, the ammeter go to about +20. So, maybe the ammeter is okay after all, and it was the cutout switch.



Question is, is this a short or adjustment necessary. Seems to me that the contacts may be closed all the time, resulting in the negative reading when the batter is connected. I'm thinking they shouldn't close until the car is running, and the battery can be charged. Problem is, I'm not sure how to adjust them. I read the instructions that came with them, but it seemed greek to me.



Anyone have any suggestions?



jc