The Ford Barn

cradlescyth · 08-17-2016, 07:44 PM

My ampmeter needle hangs to the left stting in a static state. No battery connected. Is thisw Correct?

RonC · 08-17-2016, 07:48 PM

No. To fix it you will have take it apart and twist the back a little.

Jim/GA · 08-17-2016, 08:18 PM

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I'm afraid that I can tell, just from looking at the photo, that this is a reproduction ammeter. That means it is very low quality. Some people have good luck with them, but most do not.

You can use it like it is by mentally figuring that where it is pointing right now is zero, and then adjust from there. You mostly need to see what the charge rate is with no lights on or anything (you are aiming for 6-8 amps). Other than that, you mainly want to see that you get some charge when running and that the cutout is working when at idle (not discharging your battery). The exact numbers are not that important (but it is nice for zero to be zero, if you know what I mean).

After you drive a car with a generator like a Model A for a while, you get used to looking at the ammeter as you return to idle to see the needle go slightly to the discharge side, and then jump back up to zero when the cutout opens. Then you know all is good.

While you keep using this ammeter, look for an original that has been restored. When you find a nice one, you can swap them out in a short time. Until then, keep driving and have fun!

C26Pinelake · 08-17-2016, 08:24 PM

How do you tell the difference between an original and a reproduction? Wayne.

08-17-2016, 07:48 PM	#2
RonC Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Rhode Island Posts: 1,868	Re: Ampmeter No. To fix it you will have take it apart and twist the back a little.

08-17-2016, 08:18 PM	#3
Jim/GA Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Young Harris, GA Posts: 1,815	Re: Ampmeter Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) I'm afraid that I can tell, just from looking at the photo, that this is a reproduction ammeter. That means it is very low quality. Some people have good luck with them, but most do not. You can use it like it is by mentally figuring that where it is pointing right now is zero, and then adjust from there. You mostly need to see what the charge rate is with no lights on or anything (you are aiming for 6-8 amps). Other than that, you mainly want to see that you get some charge when running and that the cutout is working when at idle (not discharging your battery). The exact numbers are not that important (but it is nice for zero to be zero, if you know what I mean). After you drive a car with a generator like a Model A for a while, you get used to looking at the ammeter as you return to idle to see the needle go slightly to the discharge side, and then jump back up to zero when the cutout opens. Then you know all is good. While you keep using this ammeter, look for an original that has been restored. When you find a nice one, you can swap them out in a short time. Until then, keep driving and have fun! __________________ Jim Cannon Former MAFCA Technical Director "Have a Model A day!"

08-17-2016, 08:24 PM	#4
C26Pinelake BANNED Join Date: May 2010 Location: Michigan / Ontario border, Sarnia, Ontario. 50 miles from Detroit and 150 from Toronto. Posts: 5,800	Re: Ampmeter How do you tell the difference between an original and a reproduction? Wayne.