Ammeter Windings
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2011
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From: Grand Haven Michigan
Ammeter Windings
I have an interesting question, does anyone know how many windings a 1971 ammeter gauge has? I have been working on my interior and besides the clock its the only other gauge that isn't working. I opened it up and at least one of the wires has been snapped and the coating has been melted off. I have some wire at home that is similar magnetic wire and was hoping to rewind it.
Thanks,
Jay
Thanks,
Jay
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 154
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From: Grand Haven Michigan
Was planning to count it too, just wanted a rough number to go with in case i lose count.
I do need to rewind it, the coating that prevents the wire from shorting itself melted.
Thanks!
Jay
I do need to rewind it, the coating that prevents the wire from shorting itself melted.
Thanks!
Jay
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,118
From: Crossville TN
All you need to do is to 'jumper' the melted portion of that wire. Usually, it is only the connecting wire running from the 'post' to the coil that melts. Just solder in a strand of copper wire that is at least as large as the connecting wire on the other post. It does not need to be insulated. I repaired mine the very same way 6 years ago....no problems since.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 154
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From: Grand Haven Michigan
Got it working, little piece of copper and solder, hook it up to the dc adjustable power supply set to about 3 volts with .02 amps and watch it jump then quickly turn the supply off. One more thing done, back to finishing the clean up when I get home to hopefully have the dash together in a week or two.
Thanks for all the help
Thanks for all the help
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,118
From: Crossville TN
No problem. Just so you know: that meter is really a millivolt meter that is wired up as a "shunt" ammeter. The shunt is part of the existing wiring harness that has the bulk of the car's current flow running through it. The length of that line [between the connection points for the two feeder leads going to the ammeter] provides the small resistance required for the ammeter to be calibrated 'reasonably accurately'. If you haven't installed it yet, you can use your DC power supply to see how much voltage (50 mv maybe?) it takes to get a 40 amp reading on the meter. Just another tidbit of information that might help you somewhere along the line in the future. 
