[DocModisett]

I need to hook up a ammeter on my 1965 Buick skylard Gran Sport,,,, I have tried several ways and none have been successful.... I hate electricity Right now the way I have it hooked up, the gage shows discharge when I use the electric fuel pump and when I turn the ign on,, but will not show charge at all.... I installed a new voltage reg. and new alt... new battery, new battery cables,,, Hellllllp.....

[unix]

that would be normal to show a discharged when anything in turned on. Take note of what it shows when the motor is started, right off it sounds like you have it wired correctly.

Starting, starter motor will show discharge, motor lights off should come back to 0, depending on the load, fuel pump it might be a little south of 0, driving will show a charge.

[DocModisett]

That's the mystery to me,,,,, it shows the discharge side but not charging at all.... I did a frame off on this car , took the whole wiring loom out and repaired it and re wrapped it... but am in the process of hooking it all back up just like the factory had it except that I mounted the battery in the trunk,,, grounded to the frame and ran 20 ft. of welding lead from the battery + post to the junction block where the starter hooks up with the stock set up..... what I need, because I am such a electrical retard , is for some one to say '' you hook up at this point and at that point''...... and if I have to disconnect something and wire in between,,,, tell me that too.... i do real well on mechanics,,, but I cannot see electricity....

[T-bucket23]

Originally Posted by DocModisett

That's the mystery to me,,,,, it shows the discharge side but not charging at all.... I did a frame off on this car , took the whole wiring loom out and repaired it and re wrapped it... but am in the process of hooking it all back up just like the factory had it except that I mounted the battery in the trunk,,, grounded to the frame and ran 20 ft. of welding lead from the battery + post to the junction block where the starter hooks up with the stock set up..... what I need, because I am such a electrical retard , is for some one to say '' you hook up at this point and at that point''...... and if I have to disconnect something and wire in between,,,, tell me that too.... i do real well on mechanics,,, but I cannot see electricity....

The only way to prove if it is working is to check what is actually happening at the battery. An amp meter at the battery should read the same as the gauge.
If you run down the battery a little and start it it should charge at 15 or so amps for a few minutes. Most of the factory amp gauges were not very accurate and to be honest unless it is a shunted type gauge it is a fire hazard.

[Putt]

The alternator "BAT" wire that presently runs to the junction point or the starter needs to be removed and run to one side of the ammeter and then a wire needs to run from the other side of the ammeter to the junction point where the welding cable hooks to. If you have a high output alternator (over about 70 amps) DO NOT USE AN AMMETER!!! They are generally for up to 60 amps and any more can fry the ammeter and maybe more! Also make sure the wire connecting the alternator, ammeter and junction is of adequate gauge for the maximum alternator output and length of wire.