Posted by Arthur P. Bloom on Thursday, August 09, 2007 at 21:51:43 :
In Reply to: Re: Amp meter is pegged? posted by LinK on Thursday, August 09, 2007 at 20:36:45 :
Good!!! We are getting somewhere.
One or two more questions, and we will solve this, I'm sure:
The alternator with integral regulator has a bunch of wires. If you are using a factory-made harness, I assume that it would be difficult to tell me exactly where the individual wires go, but maybe you can trace them, or take a good guess.
There will be one big wire that comes from a large nut on the alternator, and which goes to the + terminal on the battery. (It might be red.) That is the charging wire. It carries a very large amperage when the battery needs to be charged, and the engine is running. If that wire goes anywhere else (like to an ammeter) it is going to the wrong spot.
There will be one, or two, other smaller wires (10 or 12 gauge, possibly) coming from a small plug at the rear of the alternator. One is the "excitation" lead, and the orther may be used for an idiot light. We need to know where they go.
Finally, we need to know where the two wires at the rear of the ammeter go. One is marked (+) and the other is marked (-).
We also need to know what VOLTAGE you read, with a digital voltmeter, across the (+) and (-) terminals of the battery, while the engine is running, and when it is not running.
We remain patiently awaiting your next message.
Dr. Bloom
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