Ammeter/electrical system question

[Bob Barry]

It's not the ammeter sending the surges through the system, but the alternator. Actually, however, the problem should be less with a one-wire alternator, as the voltage-regulator is reading the charge off the charging wire internally in the case, so you don't get the "superhet" effect you get with the feedback through the yellow wire and the sensing lead.

Bypass your ammeter, and check the condition of the red charging wire and the yellow wire. The surges in the alternator output are either caused by a sudden fluctuating drag on the charging system (sign of failing ammeter), or on a bad voltage-regulator in the alternator.

In addition, it would be essential to add a fusible-link to that charging wire, as your alternator will keep pumping out the juice no matter what happens to the rest of the wiring-system, whereas the three-wire at least has the safety built in of cutting off if the wiring burns-up.

[Oracle]

Is this same amp meter /wiring routing the same in all years and models of FSJ? or are there some differences between years and models? Seems strange there wasn't a recall or design mod somewhere along the way. Sounds like a tort lawyer's dream.

And for the nay sayers, at least in the boneyards I've been through there have been a 'substantial' number of deceased GW's present with serious fire damage in the dash area...

[Oracle]

Oh, and WoodyHank, welcome to the board. Gotta wonder about that moniker tho, would not have guessed another feminine type 'snuck' in here incognito [img]smile.gif[/img]

[Joe Guilbeau]

Not a fan of the "One Wire" alternator set ups.

First you must have a regulator inside the alternator that supports a one wire hook up.

How could you tell? If you purchased the alternator with the regulator installed for a one wire hook up, then you are probably OK.

There are several other reasons that a one wire alternator is a solution to a non-existant problem, and you are better off just forgeting about these.

Trust me on this, or I will have to get technical.

In short (pun intended) you are sensing the alternator output instead of sensing the the voltage "downstream" from the output of the alternator, which is a much better design philosophy.

[WoodyHank]

Okay, ammeter is getting fixed tomorrow (along with fuel sender install..separate post). So I read through all these posts again, and I'm wondering if I can stick with MTN GOATS instructions on Page One and be good to go (the debate got a bit confusing)

TGreese: still waiting on that explanation re: the difference between math and arithmetic

Oracle: I did not sneak in here 'incognito'; "I announced my presence with authority" (yes, stolen line)