wib1961

Ok, here is where I am... 3/4 weeks ago I installed a fuse link on the battery side of the ammeter(used the proper size etc.) Drove the car limited for a couple of weeks. No problem. On an evening drive I pulled the light switch on and noticed a draw on the ammeter at speed. Thought that the ammeter should be at zero when cruzing at 45/50 mph with lights on . Correct? Then noticed that ammeter NEVER went above zero at any time. I'm sure that it used to show a slight charge when first starting up and then went back to zero. I checked the battery at idle speed (before I went on vacation) and found it to be 15+. Reported this here on the forum and was told too high. I agree. Left on vacation and returned this weekend to resume work on the situation. First checked the battery with digital VM at idle again and found it to be 14.2. WTF?Decided to remove the in line fuse link and no change (meaning the ammeter still never shows a charge and shows a discharge with lights on and cruzing speed). Am I nuts and the ammeter should show a discharge when lights on and cruzing down the highway? Any thoughts?

wib1961

ttt

claf

On my '62, with modern Halogen lights on high beam, plus radio and maybe heater, yes, too much for the generator to cope with. Flick the high beams off and gauge moves (slightly) to the charge side. Don't think you have anything unusual going on. Bob

Frankie the Fink

Your idle voltage appears to be reading properly now. You may want to verify your ammeter readings under load...say turn the high beams on and rev the motor to 3000 RPM and take a voltage reading at the battery. You could possibly have a voltage regulator problem and there are tests for this component in the '61 Passenger Car Manual IIRC.

wib1961

OK guy's, thanks for the replies. I'll do more checking tomorrow.