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04-19-2019, 08:21 PM | #1 |
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New Battery shut off switch, now ammeter is strange
Today I installed a Snyders battery cutoff switch with the bracket that attaches to the bottom bolt of the starter. I took my time and hooked it all up and everything seemed fine. Except for the fact that now when I start the truck the ammeter pegs completely to the right indicating charge and it stays there even after running the truck for 10 minutes.
Something must be wrong but I'm not sure what I could have done to cause this. The engine seems to run well but the needle points completely to the right on the ammeter. I'm pretty sure the battery is good. And I didn't forget to attach any of the wires on the starter switch. Any ideas or tips how I can troubleshoot this? Thank you
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04-19-2019, 09:49 PM | #2 |
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Re: New Battery shut off switch, now ammeter is strange
Is the car 6 volt or 12 volt system?
Generator or alternator? Can you post a picture of how you wired it all up? Which cable did you install the big switch in? With the engine not running, turn the headlights on and look at the ammeter. It should show a discharge of about 10 amps. Does the car have any accessories? Lights, turn signals, etc?
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04-19-2019, 10:07 PM | #3 |
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Re: New Battery shut off switch, now ammeter is strange
You need to follow the wiring on the wiring diagram. Your switch should be in the wire right from the battery between 3 and 4. Battery, switch, starter then out to the car.
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04-19-2019, 10:27 PM | #4 | |
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Re: New Battery shut off switch, now ammeter is strange
Quote:
Could the switch also go between 1 and 2?
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04-19-2019, 10:47 PM | #5 |
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Re: New Battery shut off switch, now ammeter is strange
Yes. In fact, that is the BEST place to put it!
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04-19-2019, 11:12 PM | #6 |
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Re: New Battery shut off switch, now ammeter is strange
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04-20-2019, 05:04 AM | #7 |
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Re: New Battery shut off switch, now ammeter is strange
The diagram in post 3 is a great idea for long distance troubleshooting !
The numbers make it much easier for everyone to troubleshoot and follow along! I remember seeing it for sometime now but family health problems for last two years do not always allow me to read in detail and follow the threads closely. |
04-20-2019, 05:56 AM | #8 |
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Re: New Battery shut off switch, now ammeter is strange
It's a six volt system with an alternator. Truck has a negative ground and as you can see in the picture it corresponds with the chart that Mike V posted being between 3 and 4. I went with that configuration because it worked with the battery terminals/cables I already had. Would have preferred it going to ground instead. Accessories include turn signals which work very well.
Put a voltage meter on the battery and it registered six volts. I just went out and turned the lights on with the engine off and the ammeter did register discharge. During the install I did tap kind of hard on the battery terminals to try to seat them better (with a hammer).
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Jim Last edited by jquinlan; 04-20-2019 at 06:05 AM. |
04-20-2019, 06:06 AM | #9 |
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Re: New Battery shut off switch, now ammeter is strange
6 Volt is usually Positive ground not negative
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04-20-2019, 06:20 AM | #10 |
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Re: New Battery shut off switch, now ammeter is strange
Here is a link to a video of what is happening. When it jumps to the right, I wasn't touching anything.
https://youtu.be/_WVVRaiUcvA I just put the truck on a trickle charge and will charge it up for awhile and see if that still happens. Perhaps battery is going bad.
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Jim Last edited by jquinlan; 04-20-2019 at 06:53 AM. |
04-20-2019, 06:29 AM | #11 |
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Re: New Battery shut off switch, now ammeter is strange
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04-20-2019, 07:13 AM | #12 |
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Re: New Battery shut off switch, now ammeter is strange
Its easy to disconnect the new switch and see if the problem disappears or stays.
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04-20-2019, 07:21 AM | #13 |
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Re: New Battery shut off switch, now ammeter is strange
with a hammer?????
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04-20-2019, 07:26 AM | #14 | |
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Re: New Battery shut off switch, now ammeter is strange
Quote:
If either of them is taking power, it will add to the charge that the ammeter is indicating is going to the battery. It's not really going to the battery, it's going to whatever is connected here. Also a bad idea to tap down on battery cables. (I have done it myself. Very tempting.) Spread the cable ends out to allow them to slip fully over the post, then tighten up the nut/bolt to clamp them on. Look for a slight short to ground somewhere in the fuse holder, battery cable and starter switch (or new cutoff switch) that is giving this big output from the alternator.
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04-20-2019, 07:48 AM | #15 |
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Re: New Battery shut off switch, now ammeter is strange
My ground side has two large wiring leads, one is bare medal to the frame the other to transmission attachment. My positive side is single lead. How is it possible I would put my shut-off on the ground lead, maintaining duel leads?
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04-20-2019, 07:57 AM | #16 | |
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Re: New Battery shut off switch, now ammeter is strange
Quote:
The cut-off is then inserted between the frame and the ground of the battery. To answer another question, this arrangement protects the ENTIRE system and leaves only the "tool across the battery posts" as the only remaining failure mode. |
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04-20-2019, 08:27 AM | #17 | |
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Re: New Battery shut off switch, now ammeter is strange
Quote:
Acts like the alternator is connected through the ammeter straight to ground. |
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04-20-2019, 08:38 AM | #18 |
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Re: New Battery shut off switch, now ammeter is strange
Would explain why he had to use a hammer on the terminals since the battery posts and battery clamps are different sizes. For seating should take only very slight/gentle taps to seat a terminal. Usually the taps using the handle of a screwdriver is good enough.
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04-20-2019, 08:55 AM | #19 |
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Re: New Battery shut off switch, now ammeter is strange
I'm wondering if you first disconnected the battery ground cable before you started installing the switch,if not did any wire flash to ground while you were working on it? Most alternators are internally regulated you might have damaged the alternator,just a thought.
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04-20-2019, 10:37 AM | #20 | |
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Re: New Battery shut off switch, now ammeter is strange
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I'd really like to share my thoughts, but I'd like them to be found in a thread that people can see the title of and know what will be in there.
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