generator

[whiterover]

Hi everybody. Can anyone tell me in which wire to bridge an ampmeter in. Recently we were having flat battery issues, Caused by a faulty generator, worn brushes, worn bearings and polling, all fixed, the regulator is the correct one for Rover about 18 months old, I thought I would install an ampmeter to establish that I have settings correct. I like gauges anyway.
John.

[j_radcliffe]

There are 2 wires exiting the RB340 control box, from which the regulated current flows to the car. This will make installing an ammeter difficult, as you would have to go to a junction box, shunt through to the ammeter, and then return to the 2 wires which power the car.

James.

[chrisyork]

When I added extra gauges to Lucky, an ammeter was top of my list of priorities too. I was persuaded to have a voltmeter instead, largely on the grounds of ease of wiring it in (Volts are everywhere the same - amps you have to be choosy about where you tap in). I was somewhat reluctant ( electrical engineers joke) but now that I'm used to it I think it actually tells me rather more about what is going on. Essentially, if the volts are above 12V I have confidence that the battery is being charged. If they are less I know that the regulator and generator haven't caught up yet. Plus you can see exactly how the regulator is regulating as the revs rise and fall.

So my advice would be to go for a simpler wiring job and get rather more information back. Fit a voltmeter.

Chris

[whiterover]

Thanks. White Rover has now been to the first Auto Elect four times, who rebuilt the generator and fitted a new battery, both needed but the battery still went flat. Two Auto Elect later every thing works fine. The final Auto obviously new what he was doing it showed in the way he set the regulator. I am happy to recomend him to any one who would like to know. Those in N Z of course. I now feel confident when out driving Rover again.
John.