Re: [Amc-list] Oh generator, thou doth suck.

[Frank Swygert <farna@xxxxxxx>]

The main reason ammeters are rather rare nowadays (is that a word??) is that the average Joe hasn't got a clue as to how to read it! They do know the battery is 12V and the meter should read a little higher when the car is running, and that if they have less than 12V there might be a problem. That's about it! I've got a general idea about how to read an ammeter, but wouldn't want to bet anything on it... 

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Date: Tue,  6 Jan 2009 00:07:41 -0700
From: Ken Ames <ameskg@xxxxxxxxx>

Aware of the amps in the ammeter wires, no problems yet. I believe an ammeter
will tell me more about the battery's charge state than a voltmeter - assuming
the car starts. : )
When the ammeter shows charge (though not the usual) you know its the diodes.
Voltmeter would still show 13-14+ volts. Alt light might glow. 
Wouldn't a voltmeter show 13-14+ even when charging at 20 or 30 amps? One might
think the battery is OK even though it really needs charging. 

-- 
Frank Swygert
Publisher, "American Motors Cars" 
Magazine (AMC)
For all AMC enthusiasts
http://farna.home.att.net/AMC.html
(free download available!)

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