Quote:
Originally Posted by tortuga
Gauge reads Zero when ignition is off, fans take it down like they should but not as far as usual, system voltage 12.4 off, ~13.8 running, all connections on ign switch good, batt connections tight, optima red top battery couple years old..
Almost like the null has moved when running? The farthest down I can get it with ALL loads idling at about 950 is about +7 amps...
Battery cranks it right up.
Anyone had similar issue?
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Properly wired, with the ammeter between the alternator and all loads, an ammeter measures the total current flow - not the 'net' from the battery. See the diagram here:
https://www.fwmurphy.com/uploaded/do...00-02-0207.pdf
A 7 amp reading at 12 volts is 84 watts, but of course 12 volts is really a nominal value so probably in the range of 90-100 watts. Regardless, how much power does your ignition system draw? MSD 6 series are about 1 amp/1,000 RPM, while 7 series are slightly higher. Ignition coils draw 3-7 amps.
7 amps at the ammeter at idle doesn't appear unreasonable.