Ammeter on TO30

Papa J · Sep 8, 2020

Anyone have any ideas on why my ammeter will not work? I believe wires are hooked up correctly, with the length of the two one could hardly switch them. Is a new gage as well.

Ozlander · Sep 8, 2020

New means nothing now days.

Papa J · Sep 8, 2020

Just bugs me that it does not work. Thanks.

warbaby · Sep 8, 2020

Did the original gauge work? Is the system functioning (charging) even though the gauge doesnt register?

Check for continuity through the gauge- if you have it the gauge should work. If the gauge checks out but you arent getting a 7+ (6 volt system) or 14 volt (12 volt system) reading at the battery while running above a high idle, check the continuity from the gauge to the battery and from the gauge to your generator's regulator output terminal (or Alternator "BATT" terminal) -if you have continuity throughout the entire charging circuit, your problem is elsewhere in the system- a bad generator/alternator or a fried, out-of-adjustment, or poorly grounded regulator.

Or a loose fan belt....

Steve@Advance · Sep 8, 2020

When wiring an amp meter, the battery wire goes alone on one side.

All the other wires, the BAT wire from the regulator (if gen equipped) or the BAT wire from the alternator, and the feed to the ign switch and any other accessories, goes on the other terminal.

If wired backward, it will still read, just read backward. Simply reverse the position of all the wires.

Many times when one is converted from gen to alt they short cut the wiring and take the alt wire directly to the battery or starter switch/solenoid, bypassing the amp meter. If that is done, it will not show as charge on the amp meter.

John T · Sep 8, 2020

In general, to work typically the SUPPLY side of an ammeter gets to the hot ungrounded battery post, often by a wire to the BAT Input side of a starter switch or solenoid or the battery itself. The other LOAD side feeds loads such as ignition and lights etc PLUS wires to the BAT terminal on a Voltage Regulator or Cutout Relay to receive the gennys charge.

John T

Papa J · Sep 8, 2020

Original gauge did not work. I will check the continuity when I get out to the garage. Thanks.

jimtrs · Sep 8, 2020

(quoted from post at 10:11:26 09/08/20) Anyone have any ideas on why my ammeter will not work?

System not charging ??

Papa J · Sep 8, 2020

It appears to be, I have not had a charger on the battery and it still starts.

Deere Mark · Sep 8, 2020

I have a MF-35 (very similar to the Ferguson TO-30) with an original Ammeter that is stuck. Easy to check the charging system even if the Ammeter does not work: #1 use a Volt meter and see if the running battery Voltage is higher than the non-running battery Voltage. If it is higher, then it must be charging. #2 use a clamp-on DC Ammeter and check the current in the positive or negative battery wire.

Papa J · Sep 9, 2020

Thanks, will try that.

Ammeter on TO30

Papa J

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Ozlander

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Papa J

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John T

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