Cheap Retro Ammeter Test/Install

Well Guys, as you may have noticed, my new alternator has been underperforming of late and without an ammeter it's all a bit like working in the dark. So I found this cheap little retro fella on ebay and did a temporary install just to check it worked. So here it is:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aU7pjjzJhyU


This little chap might save your bacon and give you an early warning of impending alternator doom.
As for me? Well better go to Superformance.....

 

Hi Alden, no not enough juice, gonna have to sort it out soon.

 

.....overtaking

 

Yes all the grounds are good as far as I can tell. Next up is to get an actual reading off the alternator and see what if any the difference is. The fact is this alternator was replaced 2 years ago....then failed after 11 months, then it was replaced under a year ago and was working fine again and now it's going south again.
Each time it was installed the voltage feed was perfect so I am thinking it's the alternator and not a bad earth.
BUT I'm no electrics expert and so may be wrong.
All the best Bell

 

Hi Guido, obviously the original alternator went wrong and that's to be expected after 30 years
Then I got this equivalent so say unit from Andrew Page and have sent it back once because it failed after 11 months. That's the story so far.....now it's true that the pulley on the unit is slightly smaller meaning a slightly higher rotation speed, but would that make the regulator fail?
Regards Bell

 

Yes it is turning a little faster, I'll get data and report back

 

Oxford in Kato today. Noticed that the freezing temperatures have caused the alternator belt to slip a little........ Ah ha I hear you say! Yes indeed after a little tweek and the voltage now runs at 13.0 volts normal running and 12.6 with lights! Now that's much better and has taken the pressure off somewhat. It's funny really because I couldn't actually hear the belt slipping at all.
Anyway food for thought there, all the best Bell