Lets Blow Up an Ammeter !
06-17-2011, 11:14 PM
#1
Race Director
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Lets Blow Up an Ammeter !
I'm going to try and light this headlight through this ammeter. 
What do you guys think,will the ammeter blow ,should I hide ?
What do you guys think,will the ammeter blow ,should I hide ?
06-18-2011, 12:24 AM
#3
Burning Brakes
Jeeps in the 70's ran the ENTIRE charge circuit through their ammeters (no shunt). Yes, they melted, when the battery was low and you had the high-beams on. One headlight through an ammeter should be no danger of fire.
I am thinking the wire will melt before the meter? mike...
06-18-2011, 08:04 AM
#6
Race Director
Thread Starter
Why ? Because there are questions as to how sensitive the ammeter is.
The ammeter circuit is wired with a 20 gauge fusible link on both ends.
Are these links in the circuit to protect the "meter" or are they there to protect the car because the meter itself will carry a load large enough to overheat and catch fire ? In other words it will not self sacrifice and open the circuit before it creates a fire ???
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c3-g...post1577909099
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c3-t...st-in-car.html
As soon as I eat breakfast I'm going to apply the juice and I believe ( due to past experiences) we'll see this little meter is much tougher than most think.
The ammeter circuit is wired with a 20 gauge fusible link on both ends.
Are these links in the circuit to protect the "meter" or are they there to protect the car because the meter itself will carry a load large enough to overheat and catch fire ? In other words it will not self sacrifice and open the circuit before it creates a fire ???
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c3-g...post1577909099
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c3-t...st-in-car.html
As soon as I eat breakfast I'm going to apply the juice and I believe ( due to past experiences) we'll see this little meter is much tougher than most think.
06-18-2011, 09:26 AM
#8
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the coil inside that meter is very fine wire, 20 or 22 gauge. it will melt within a few seconds and ruin a $50 meter. got to radio shack or harbor freight and buy a $10 vom(volt-ohm meter). that bulb should draw about 5 amps.
by the way, the corvette gauge is only calibrated to read accurately(by 1960s standards) in the car's circuitry. a stand-alone amp meter is calibrated by way of coil-magnet strength and spring tension.
if you must persist, start with a 1 1/2 volt battery, then a 6 volt, just to see what happens.
by the way, the corvette gauge is only calibrated to read accurately(by 1960s standards) in the car's circuitry. a stand-alone amp meter is calibrated by way of coil-magnet strength and spring tension.
if you must persist, start with a 1 1/2 volt battery, then a 6 volt, just to see what happens.
Last edited by jnb5101; 06-18-2011 at 09:29 AM.
06-18-2011, 09:36 AM
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06-18-2011, 10:14 AM
#13
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06-18-2011, 11:25 AM
#14
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06-18-2011, 12:04 PM
#16
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St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15
06-18-2011, 12:14 PM
#18
1969/1971/1976 Coupes
So Roger, what other ways do you spend your Saturday mornings? You may be giving bubba some ideas for some high speed reverse lights.
Are you going to take it to failure with more components?
06-18-2011, 12:25 PM
#19
Race Director
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(was sending them to Carlisle because I didn't think I would have them ready in time for Bloomington)
Blowing up the gauge was my plan,but now I'm rethinking whether or not that is possible. I'm beginning to think this thing is like a bulb,you can't run anymore through it than it is willing to accept.
Just like putting a 12v test light between the neg battery terminal and the neg cable,you can turn on whatever you want and the test light bulb will not blow,even trying to engage the starter won't blow the test light.
I'm just a dumb ole mechanic trying to understand some of this stuff.
Where are our Electrical Engineers ?
06-18-2011, 12:27 PM
#20
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St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15
Hook the horn up Roger... go for it.. See which last longer.. your mind or the gauge...