Re: Amp meter

Posted by Janicholson on August 30, 2005 at 06:24:10 from (199.17.6.175):

In Reply to: Amp meter posted by oleduke on August 30, 2005 at 05:55:29:

Assuming a good system (with regulator, ___not___ a three brush, or cutout relay with charge rate settings on the light knob), that the battery has been used to start the tractor, and that it is running at 1/2 throttle.

The amp meter should show about 12-15 amps charge for about 1-2 minutes then decrease from there to show 5 amp charge in 5 minutes or so. After about 15 min the charge should be about 2 amps (maybe 1 amp) and it should stay there till the engine is shut off. If the lights are turned on, the amp meter should spasm for a tenth of a second an the load is compensated for, and then settle back to the 1-2 amp charge rate. The amp meter only shows what is entering (charging), or leaving (discharging)the battery through all systems except the starter motor (which draws so much current that the meter would smoke if applied across it). The starter operates on a direct circuit (solenoid, or mechanical momentary contact heavy duty switch)
Not all systems will appear this way to the meeter viewer, if it charges more than five amps all the time into the good battery it needs to be checked with a volt meter.
Charge volts for 6 volt systems (into an already charged battery lights off) shaould be 6.8-7.2 volts. A 12v. should show 13.8-14.3 volts. I'd adjust any regulkator out of those ranges.
Alternators are a different animal.
Hope this helps, Jim Nicholson

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