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The World Of Gauges
- Thread starter hardeep
- Start date
Mr.F
Inactive
The ammeter is an old-fashioned gauge now largely replaced by the voltage indicator. Ammeters are found on 240Zs and early (to 07/75) 260Zs.
It indicates rate of charge or discharge of the battery, i.e. current in or outwith a scale of -45 amps to 0 to +45 amps. With ignition on and engine not running it will show a small negative movement, i.e. small discharge due to power up of ignition and any accessories switched on: more accessories / lights on will give greater negative reading. After a start, it will show a fairly strong positive swing as the voltage regulator allows the alternator to replenish the battery charge, dropping back to a small positive reading under normal running conditions (like a trickle charge).
A strong positive reading when running may indicate a fault with the voltage regulator. A small negative reading when running would indicate an alternator or voltage regulator problem or damage to the wiring loom in their circuit. A strong negative reading would indicate a wiring fault in a circuit resulting in a continuous discharge or, in a worst case scenario, a shorted circuit - usually a full scale negative reading.
It indicates rate of charge or discharge of the battery, i.e. current in or outwith a scale of -45 amps to 0 to +45 amps. With ignition on and engine not running it will show a small negative movement, i.e. small discharge due to power up of ignition and any accessories switched on: more accessories / lights on will give greater negative reading. After a start, it will show a fairly strong positive swing as the voltage regulator allows the alternator to replenish the battery charge, dropping back to a small positive reading under normal running conditions (like a trickle charge).
A strong positive reading when running may indicate a fault with the voltage regulator. A small negative reading when running would indicate an alternator or voltage regulator problem or damage to the wiring loom in their circuit. A strong negative reading would indicate a wiring fault in a circuit resulting in a continuous discharge or, in a worst case scenario, a shorted circuit - usually a full scale negative reading.