The Ford Barn

Dan 1939 · 04-12-2018, 08:24 AM

My 1939 pick-up Amp Gauge reads when not running if I turn ON the switch. The gauge has two connections, not a single wire gauge. It is powered from the key switch with the other gauges and is grounded on the second connection. The other gauges work fine. When running the gauge reads in the (N) area.
Thanks for any thoughts.
Dan

JSeery · 04-12-2018, 08:28 AM

The gauge could show a slight discharge (Low) when turned on and the engine not running. Is that what you are seeing? Is this what your gauge looks like?

TJ · 04-12-2018, 08:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dan 1939

My 1939 pick-up Amp Gauge reads when not running if I turn ON the switch. The gauge has two connections, not a single wire gauge. It is powered from the key switch with the other gauges and is grounded on the second connection. The other gauges work fine. When running the gauge reads in the (N) area.
Thanks for any thoughts.
Dan

If you have a gauge with two separate posts it is not an original gauge. Is it an amp gauge or a voltmeter? If it's an amp gauge you do not ground one post. The electricity passes through the gauge from one post (from the generator) to the other and goes to the battery. If you have a volt meter then the volt meter needs to be grounded.

Dan 1939 · 04-12-2018, 03:57 PM

The picture you attached is the type of Amp Gauge that I have. It reads (L) only when the switch is Off. As soon as I switch it On the Amp Gauge goes to the (N) area. When I start the truck it stays in the (N) area.
Very confusing.
Thanks, Dan

Bob C · 04-12-2018, 04:03 PM

The way you say how it is wired and the way it read says it's a volt meter
not an ammeter .

Bob

bobwellsnoveltyshop · 04-12-2018, 04:53 PM

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What you have and the picture is for a 1939 ford deluxe and it is a battery gauge and when voltage is applied the needle will go towards the N Which is a sign for normal the H is a sign for HIGH. Here is the gauge with just over & volts applied and it reads in the H zone.
BILL WELLS

Dan 1939 · 04-14-2018, 04:52 PM

Thanks to everyone that responded to my question.
I believe that Bob Wells has explained that what I thought was an Amp gauge is actually a Battery gauge and it would have a read when I turn on the switch before starting the motor.
Thanks again,
Dan

04-12-2018, 08:24 AM	#1
Dan 1939 Member Join Date: Apr 2017 Location: Ocean County, NJ Posts: 56	Amp Gauge reads when not running ? My 1939 pick-up Amp Gauge reads when not running if I turn ON the switch. The gauge has two connections, not a single wire gauge. It is powered from the key switch with the other gauges and is grounded on the second connection. The other gauges work fine. When running the gauge reads in the (N) area. Thanks for any thoughts. Dan

04-12-2018, 03:57 PM	#4
Dan 1939 Member Join Date: Apr 2017 Location: Ocean County, NJ Posts: 56	Re: Amp Gauge reads when not running ? The picture you attached is the type of Amp Gauge that I have. It reads (L) only when the switch is Off. As soon as I switch it On the Amp Gauge goes to the (N) area. When I start the truck it stays in the (N) area. Very confusing. Thanks, Dan

04-12-2018, 04:03 PM	#5
Bob C Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: So Cal Posts: 8,741	Re: Amp Gauge reads when not running ? The way you say how it is wired and the way it read says it's a volt meter not an ammeter . Bob

04-14-2018, 04:52 PM	#7
Dan 1939 Member Join Date: Apr 2017 Location: Ocean County, NJ Posts: 56	Re: Amp Gauge reads when not running ? Thanks to everyone that responded to my question. I believe that Bob Wells has explained that what I thought was an Amp gauge is actually a Battery gauge and it would have a read when I turn on the switch before starting the motor. Thanks again, Dan