The Ford Barn

A TRUCK · 10-14-2013, 06:57 AM

Hi Guys

Can someone please give me some info on Ammeters.

I'm running the original 6 volt generator and am wanting to know what the ammeter should be reading for the following....

At idle with no headlights on
Whilst driving with no headlights on
At idle with headlights on
Whilst driving with headlights on

Many thanks

Basil

Ron/IA · 10-14-2013, 08:12 AM

Basil - The Ford Service Bulletins state 10-amps during cold weather, and 6-amps during hot weather. These settings are at 1500 rpm engine speed. It is also stated the individual driver may need to adjust to their driving conditions; such as long continuous driving may require a lower setting so as not to over-charge the battery.

Kurt in NJ · 10-14-2013, 08:47 AM

At idle no headlights-slightly to discharge
Driving with no headlights--6-10 amps, possibly more depending on charge rate and vehicle use.
At idle with headlights on--discharge 12-20 amps depending on headlight bulbs.
Driving with headlights on --discharge 6-15 amps or so depending on charge rate and headlamp bulbs

The owners instruction book says it is normal to have a discharge while driving with the headlights on

QGolden · 10-14-2013, 08:55 AM

There are too many variable to answer your question as presented:

Sealed beams or original bulbs, or Halogen? What wattage?
Any other electrical accessories on at the same time?
What is your engine idle RPM set to?
The generator output is controlled by the movable/adjustable third brush if the generator has not been modified. Do not know where yours is set.
Are you aware that the generator will not begin to charge until you bring the motor RPM's up to about 700. So if you start the motor and never rev it up a bit, the amp meter will just show discharge.

Try searching "generator output idle headlights amp ammeter" you will probably be able to deduce your answer from the posts that come up. Or at least garner enough information to do some testing.

RonC · 10-14-2013, 09:19 AM

A lot also depends on how often you drive it, how long you drive it and type of use (day/night). The service bulletin instructions are for normal everyday driving. You could set yours for 3 amps for mostly daytime warm weather driving. Too low and your battery will be near dead. Too high and you will shorten the life of your battery and generator. Find a happy medium between 3 and 9 or 10 amps. Higher if you do a lot if headlight driving.

BILL WILLIAMSON · 10-14-2013, 09:31 AM

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

On long daytime driving on Route 66 deserts, if folks could smell their battery "cookin" at a stop, then they would drive with the headlights on. Bill W.

A TRUCK · 10-14-2013, 07:54 PM

Thank you all for the replies

Looks like I'm on the right track!

10-14-2013, 06:57 AM	#1
A TRUCK Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: Perth, Western Australia Posts: 38	Ammeter Hi Guys Can someone please give me some info on Ammeters. I'm running the original 6 volt generator and am wanting to know what the ammeter should be reading for the following.... At idle with no headlights on Whilst driving with no headlights on At idle with headlights on Whilst driving with headlights on Many thanks Basil

10-14-2013, 08:12 AM	#2
Ron/IA Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Amana IA Posts: 527	Re: Ammeter Basil - The Ford Service Bulletins state 10-amps during cold weather, and 6-amps during hot weather. These settings are at 1500 rpm engine speed. It is also stated the individual driver may need to adjust to their driving conditions; such as long continuous driving may require a lower setting so as not to over-charge the battery. __________________ Ron/IA 1929 Fordor Steelback Hawk A Model A Ford Club http://hawkamodelaclub.org/

10-14-2013, 08:47 AM	#3
Kurt in NJ Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: on the Littlefield Posts: 6,159	Re: Ammeter At idle no headlights-slightly to discharge Driving with no headlights--6-10 amps, possibly more depending on charge rate and vehicle use. At idle with headlights on--discharge 12-20 amps depending on headlight bulbs. Driving with headlights on --discharge 6-15 amps or so depending on charge rate and headlamp bulbs The owners instruction book says it is normal to have a discharge while driving with the headlights on

10-14-2013, 08:55 AM	#4
QGolden Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Alton, NH Posts: 1,231	Re: Ammeter There are too many variable to answer your question as presented: Sealed beams or original bulbs, or Halogen? What wattage? Any other electrical accessories on at the same time? What is your engine idle RPM set to? The generator output is controlled by the movable/adjustable third brush if the generator has not been modified. Do not know where yours is set. Are you aware that the generator will not begin to charge until you bring the motor RPM's up to about 700. So if you start the motor and never rev it up a bit, the amp meter will just show discharge. Try searching "generator output idle headlights amp ammeter" you will probably be able to deduce your answer from the posts that come up. Or at least garner enough information to do some testing. __________________ It's not what people think they know that will hurt them, it is what they think they know that aint so! -Mark Twain. It is the very things that we think we know, that keep us from learning what we should know.- Unknown Last edited by QGolden; 10-14-2013 at 11:07 AM.

10-14-2013, 09:19 AM	#5
RonC Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Rhode Island Posts: 1,868	Re: Ammeter A lot also depends on how often you drive it, how long you drive it and type of use (day/night). The service bulletin instructions are for normal everyday driving. You could set yours for 3 amps for mostly daytime warm weather driving. Too low and your battery will be near dead. Too high and you will shorten the life of your battery and generator. Find a happy medium between 3 and 9 or 10 amps. Higher if you do a lot if headlight driving.

10-14-2013, 09:31 AM	#6
BILL WILLIAMSON Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: FRESNO, CA Posts: 12,560	Re: Ammeter Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) On long daytime driving on Route 66 deserts, if folks could smell their battery "cookin" at a stop, then they would drive with the headlights on. Bill W. __________________ "THE ASSISTANT GURU OF STUFF"

10-14-2013, 07:54 PM	#7
A TRUCK Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: Perth, Western Australia Posts: 38	Re: Ammeter Thank you all for the replies Looks like I'm on the right track!