Ammeter Test
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 320
Likes: 0
From: Upstate New York
Ammeter Test
Is there any way to determine if the ammeter is functioning properly? Mine has never worked and the dash is out right now so I'd like to fix/replace it if it's no good. It could very well be a wiring isssue but I'd like to eliminate the ammeter possibility first. Thanks
Rick
Rick
Pro
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 709
Likes: 1
From: Lakewood Colorado
Here's a link from BarryK's site that should help.
http://www.lbfun.com/Corvette/Tech/v...g%20gauges.pdf
Thanks again BarryK for posting these.
http://www.lbfun.com/Corvette/Tech/v...g%20gauges.pdf
Thanks again BarryK for posting these.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 320
Likes: 0
From: Upstate New York
Thanks vettcrazy88 thats a lot of good information but I guess my question really is if the ammeter is not carrying the full amperage thru it to give a reading and is only sensing the difference in voltage between the alternator and the battery how can I test the ammeter to see if is working? The engine is out of the car right now so I can't use the charging system to help test the gauge and I don't want to put amperage thru the gauge to test it if it's not supposed to have amperage going thru it.
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,116
From: Crossville TN
That write-up is very good {I'm saving it}, but it doesn't address the question asked. To test the ammeter when it is out of the car, you need to do the following:
1) get a AA or AAA 1.5v. battery; 2) solder or tape a clip lead wire to the negative end of the battery; 3) connect the clip (-) to one of the terminals on the ammeter; then just tap and release the (+) tip on the battery to the other ammeter terminal while you are watching the dial face. If the needle on the ammeter swings [one direction or the other], the ammeter is 'good';if it doesn't move at all, the meter has problems.
P.S. If you find that the meter is defective OR you find it is OK but doesn't work when you put it back in the car, send me a PM for others suggestions on solving each particular issue. Generally, these problems can be solved at home for little cost.
Good luck.
1) get a AA or AAA 1.5v. battery; 2) solder or tape a clip lead wire to the negative end of the battery; 3) connect the clip (-) to one of the terminals on the ammeter; then just tap and release the (+) tip on the battery to the other ammeter terminal while you are watching the dial face. If the needle on the ammeter swings [one direction or the other], the ammeter is 'good';if it doesn't move at all, the meter has problems.
P.S. If you find that the meter is defective OR you find it is OK but doesn't work when you put it back in the car, send me a PM for others suggestions on solving each particular issue. Generally, these problems can be solved at home for little cost.
Good luck.
Drifting
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 1,345
Likes: 3
[QUOTE=7T1vette;1563809146]That write-up is very good {I'm saving it}, but it doesn't address the question asked. To test the ammeter when it is out of the car, you need to do the following:
1) get a AA or AAA 1.5v. battery; 2) solder or tape a clip lead wire to the negative end of the battery; 3) connect the clip (-) to one of the terminals on the ammeter; then just tap and release the (+) tip on the battery to the other ammeter terminal while you are watching the dial face. If the needle on the ammeter swings [one direction or the other], the ammeter is 'good';if it doesn't move at all, the meter has problems.
This method works....
1) get a AA or AAA 1.5v. battery; 2) solder or tape a clip lead wire to the negative end of the battery; 3) connect the clip (-) to one of the terminals on the ammeter; then just tap and release the (+) tip on the battery to the other ammeter terminal while you are watching the dial face. If the needle on the ammeter swings [one direction or the other], the ammeter is 'good';if it doesn't move at all, the meter has problems.
This method works....
Intermediate
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 26
Likes: 0
My two cents.Take it to an old guy with a generator/alt. shop.Clip to machine,run up volts to check gauge for accuracy at all points.Then you now what you have.probabley do it for nothing when here's whats it for.take two minutes.don't know if other method proves much. only my two cents.When back in car check volts at alt./match to gauge.Wiring mite have small loss of current if good.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 320
Likes: 0
From: Upstate New York
7T1vette Thanks for the input I'll give it a try and let you know the results.
hogwash I don't have an alternator repair shop nearby so at this point I'm not able to try your suggestion. Thanks
Rick
hogwash I don't have an alternator repair shop nearby so at this point I'm not able to try your suggestion. Thanks
Rick
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,116
From: Crossville TN
No offense, Hogwash, but your method wouldn't really work on an ammeter. It would for a direct-reading voltmeter, however. If someone wanted to test the accuracy of [or calibrate] a C3 ammeter, one would have to set up a known current through the "shunt" wire in that car's wiring harness. It would be quite a task without proper equipment. But ammeter 'accuracy' isn't really the issue; it is merely a device to observe significant current draws/feeds so you can assess the performance of your battery charging system.
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Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 320
Likes: 0
From: Upstate New York
7T1vette, I did the test as you said and the ammeter is no good. I tore it apart just to see how it works and the pin that rotates the needle was seized up inside the capsule that is surrounded by the copper winding.
I ordered a new one.
Thanks for the help!
Rick
I ordered a new one.
Thanks for the help!
Rick
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,116
From: Crossville TN
I wish the 'news' had been better... but glad to have been a help to you. Much of the time, one of the thin connection wires [from the coil] is broken and can be jumpered or re-soldered. Not so with yours, however.
Pro
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 631
Likes: 0
From: Northern Virginia
ammeter repair
once you determine an ammeter is bad (1969) , how does one fix it? the face is riveted on and there is no way to remove it with out drilling out the rivets, trying not to destroy an original part...Bob
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 2,030
Likes: 363
From: Lubbock Texas
Hope this helps.
DC
