View Single Post
  #10 (permalink)  
Old 05-17-2011, 09:37 PM
Barnsnake's Avatar
Barnsnake Barnsnake is offline
Senior Club Cobra Member
Visit my Photo Gallery

 
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: Parker County, Tx
Cobra Make, Engine: LoneStar LS427 , 427 Windsor
Posts: 381
Not Ranked     
Default

That amperage draw is not unreasonable. You're running the ignition (I assume you don't have a magneto), you're overcoming the resistance of the wires, the battery just cranked the engine, so it can take some charge, and the battery probably wasn't fully charged when you cranked the engine (they really never are unless a charger just finished running on it).
I think the problem is:
A. You have an Ammeter.
and
B. You're looking at it.
:-)

Ammeters are nostalgic and period correct, but just about everything else about them is a bad idea. Running the entire electrical load (independent of the starter) of a vehicle (especially a modern one) through a little instrument in the dash is antiquated. Even if it works you need a voltmeter to get the whole picture of what's really happening.
What is the range of the ammeter and what is the maximum output of the alternator? Lot's of people run alternators that exceed the capacity of most ammeters.
__________________
Jim
------------
A Gnat! Quick, get a sledgehammer!
Reply With Quote