78 f250 4x4 crewcab 429/435

How should the battery gauge read
1) in key off position?
2) key on position?
3) key on and engine running?


I recently had to replace the alternator and I noticed that the gauge read the same in all three above situations. It is at the center of its range of motion, where I would expect it to be if there were no problems. I just find it strange that the needles on all other gauges actually do show movement. I rarely drive the piglet and don't remember how it acted before. I can't say for sure if it ever read different than it does now.

 

The factory ammeter is virtually useless. More often than not, that needle won't move more than about a needle's with in either direction no matter what. You're not missin out on much given that it hardly works in the first place.

This is NOT to say that ammeters are useless. IMHO, they are a good thing to have. Consider an aftermarket unit.

 

Thanks. No longer concerned

 

X2 on yea it never really moves. Maybe a very slight movement if the truck is running and you turn on the headlights (high beam), wipers and a/c or heater blower switch on high...all at once.

 

In my opinion, a volt meter is a better option.

 

great segway... does anyone know of a voltmeter direct replacement?

 

Rocketman's Classic Cougar Innovations makes retrofit voltmeters to replace ammeter.

 

As mentioned, the factory ammeters are near useless. NOS replacement units seem to be no better. If you'd like to replace it with a voltmeter that has a needle that really moves, utilizes the same place in the dash, and gives you a choice of scale appearance, all at a reasonable cost, go here:
Rocketman's Classic Cougar Innovations
The fellow is nice to deal with.

 

I installed a under dash voltmeter from the beginning! That way I can tell instantly if its charging or not!

 

Rocketmans voltmeter conversion is the way I went when swapping from a idiot light cluster to a gauge cluster.
I rewired the ammeter harness wires to a bulb socket and installed that bulb socket into the seatbelt warning indicator position on the dash after swapping out the seatbelt warning lens for the alt lens. Run two new wires(12v and ground) for the voltmeter and I have both the alt light at start up and the voltmeter gauge.
Tbruz

 

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