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  alternator/ammeter question

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Author Topic:   alternator/ammeter question
mustang68mustangs
Gearhead

Posts: 238
From: pittsburgh,pa.usa
Registered: Jul 2001

posted 12-30-2001 08:43 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for mustang68mustangs   Click Here to Email mustang68mustangs     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote

I upgraded my 60amp alternator to a 105 amp alt and I am now wondering If the stock ammeter in my 68 is gonna burn up? I havent tried it yet. Can I just unplug the ammeters 2 connections on the back and not use it?

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lyle29464
Gearhead

Posts: 718
From: Mt. Pleasant S.C.
Registered: Mar 2000

posted 12-30-2001 11:09 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for lyle29464   Click Here to Email lyle29464     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
I think the meter is part of the circuit. You will need to leave it in the circuit or put a jumper on it. (just hook both wires on the same post).I dont think the extra amps will hurt it or cause a problem. It may just peg it early when you first start up with a low batt.

------------------
Lyle
69 rag top
93 explorer
98 f 150

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steve'66
Gearhead

Posts: 5598
From: Sonoma,CA,USA
Registered: Mar 2000

posted 12-31-2001 12:34 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for steve'66   Click Here to Email steve'66     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
I agree with Lyle.

SteveW

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mustang68mustangs
Gearhead

Posts: 238
From: pittsburgh,pa.usa
Registered: Jul 2001

posted 01-01-2002 01:44 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for mustang68mustangs   Click Here to Email mustang68mustangs     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
OK thanks for the replies Steve and lyle but if you say the amps wont hurt the ammeter then why does autometer say not to use their ammeter if your alt output exceeds 60a? Just tryng to make an analogy and get the facts straight.
Anyway I have a wiring diagram and im going to check it out and see if It is part of the charging circuit, if so I'll just jumper in between the terms.
Bob

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mellowyellow
Gearhead

Posts: 5518
From: So. Fl.
Registered: Aug 2000

posted 01-01-2002 05:34 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for mellowyellow     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
In going along with the EFI gig, a minimum of 90 amp is reguired for proper operation. More if you have a lot of accessories. I guess this is why we're going to use a voltmeter. The stock ammeter NEVER registered anyway. NADA! Not S**T!

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franklin
Gearhead

Posts: 128
From: VA
Registered: Nov 2000

posted 01-01-2002 08:55 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for franklin     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
I am not positive on a mustang, but on trucks, ford didn't use an amp guage like an aftermarket guage which runs all the power through the guage itself. Ford used a guage which is really a very sensitive voltmeter. They installed in the harness under the hood a thing called a "shunt". It is basically a very small resistance, and the original guage wires go on each side of this resistance. The guage reads the very small voltage drop across the shunt, and thus measures the current, since the more current flows through the shunt, the more voltage drop. A big clue to what kind of guage it is are the size of the wires going to the guage. An aftermarket "real" guage has very heavy wires where a shunt type guage has very small wires. I wouldn't think you could hurt a shunt type guage since, like the other poster said, they never did work very well anyway.

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lyle29464
Gearhead

Posts: 718
From: Mt. Pleasant S.C.
Registered: Mar 2000

posted 01-01-2002 09:14 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for lyle29464   Click Here to Email lyle29464     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
www.geocities.com/midlife66/wiring/wiring.html

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