The Ford Barn

Mark W. · 07-23-2015, 06:24 AM

I understand from my service book on HOW to adjust the third brush - but here is the dumb question - exactly where do I hook up the terminals from a multi-meter to read the amperage??? +/- at the battery itself or any ground to the generator cut-out???

Electricity is just not my thing...

Thanks

Mike V. Florida · 07-23-2015, 06:42 AM

Amperage, you need to put the meter in line with the wire. That is from the cutout, to the meter, through the meter out to the wire you removed from the cutout.

May I ask why you want to read amps?

Tom Wesenberg · 07-23-2015, 06:56 AM

Remove the wire from the output side of the cutout and connect the negative meter lead to the cutout and the positive meter lead to the wire just removed. Start the engine and run it at fast idle, then adjust the third brush for the amps you want.

My original ammeter in the instrument panel is accurate, so I just look at it.

Patrick L. · 07-23-2015, 09:09 AM

That would be my answer, just use the gauge in the vehicle.

Mark W. · 07-23-2015, 11:14 AM

Thanks guys - I don't know whether or not I can trust the dash meter yet, so I want to adjust with the new meter, then see if it is any good. I'm just getting down to the nitty-gritty of an engine rebuild from an original car and figured I might as well put on the shiny new generator now the "patina" is lost on the rest of my engine.

Mitch//pa · 07-23-2015, 11:29 AM

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

i always use an external meter for adjustments also..

burner31 · 07-23-2015, 12:50 PM

There are no "dumb questions" dumb answers yes, but not questions.
Your question was something I needed to know also, so we both got educated, good question.
Thanks

I once told my friend there are no dumb questions, he said "Oh ya, watch this:
Say you're traveling North across the desert at 90mph, do you A: bring your lunch or B: take the bus...true or false?
I replied...no more beer for you fella!
(True story)

pooch · 07-23-2015, 12:59 PM

Just be careful, the el cheapo multimeters are usually only rated for 10 amps.

And you have to change the positive lead to the other input hole on the meter to read amps.

burner31 · 07-23-2015, 01:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pooch

Just be careful, the el cheapo multimeters are usually only rated for 10 amps.

And you have to change the positive lead to the other input hole on the meter to read amps.

Pooch:
How do you get your avatar to move?
I have one I can't use, been trying.

07-23-2015, 06:24 AM	#1
Mark W. Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Maine Posts: 342	Generator adjustment dumb question I understand from my service book on HOW to adjust the third brush - but here is the dumb question - exactly where do I hook up the terminals from a multi-meter to read the amperage??? +/- at the battery itself or any ground to the generator cut-out??? Electricity is just not my thing... Thanks

07-23-2015, 06:42 AM	#2
Mike V. Florida Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: South Florida Posts: 14,054	Re: Generator adjustment dumb question Amperage, you need to put the meter in line with the wire. That is from the cutout, to the meter, through the meter out to the wire you removed from the cutout. May I ask why you want to read amps? __________________ What's right about America is that although we have a mess of problems, we have great capacity - intellect and resources - to do some thing about them. - Henry Ford II

07-23-2015, 06:56 AM	#3
Tom Wesenberg Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Mpls, MN Posts: 27,582	Re: Generator adjustment dumb question Remove the wire from the output side of the cutout and connect the negative meter lead to the cutout and the positive meter lead to the wire just removed. Start the engine and run it at fast idle, then adjust the third brush for the amps you want. My original ammeter in the instrument panel is accurate, so I just look at it.

07-23-2015, 09:09 AM	#4
Patrick L. Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Largo Florida Posts: 7,225	Re: Generator adjustment dumb question That would be my answer, just use the gauge in the vehicle.

07-23-2015, 11:14 AM	#5
Mark W. Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Maine Posts: 342	Re: Generator adjustment dumb question Thanks guys - I don't know whether or not I can trust the dash meter yet, so I want to adjust with the new meter, then see if it is any good. I'm just getting down to the nitty-gritty of an engine rebuild from an original car and figured I might as well put on the shiny new generator now the "patina" is lost on the rest of my engine.

07-23-2015, 11:29 AM	#6
Mitch//pa BANNED Join Date: May 2010 Location: Bucks County, PA Posts: 11,454	Re: Generator adjustment dumb question Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) i always use an external meter for adjustments also..

07-23-2015, 12:50 PM	#7
burner31 Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: Shawnee, Ok Posts: 3,471	Re: Generator adjustment dumb question There are no "dumb questions" dumb answers yes, but not questions. Your question was something I needed to know also, so we both got educated, good question. Thanks I once told my friend there are no dumb questions, he said "Oh ya, watch this: Say you're traveling North across the desert at 90mph, do you A: bring your lunch or B: take the bus...true or false? I replied...no more beer for you fella! (True story) __________________ Keith Shawnee OK '31 SW 160-B

07-23-2015, 12:59 PM	#8
pooch Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: South Coast NSW Australia Posts: 2,596	Re: Generator adjustment dumb question Just be careful, the el cheapo multimeters are usually only rated for 10 amps. And you have to change the positive lead to the other input hole on the meter to read amps.