Normal amp gauge readings

Have a 1955 Ford 860, 6V pos ground. Can someone please describe normal amp gauge readings at starting, at idle, at mid throttle,
and maximum amps gauge should ever read when operating. Thanks -Steve

When you start the tractor you are taking a huge surge of energy out of the battery so the amp guage will read high at first as it is replenishing the battery. How high depends partly on how long you cranked it to get it started. After you have run it for a while and the battery is refreshed the amp meter should settle back down. It only takes a few amps to power the coil.
Turning the lights on will make it read higher too.
I don't know the exact numbers you should see - others here might. This is just the gist of why you get different readings on the gage.
Maybe tell us what kind of numbers you are seeing and when.
There are some good electrical gurys here.

A properly wired ammeter should only measure the amount of current going into (+) or out of (-) the battery. In such a case, the ammeter should be reading at or near zero most of the time, regardless of engine speed, because the generator is supplying all of the current needs in normal operation. The only time you should see it reading a high charge is immediately after starting the engine, and only for a brief period of time, while the generator is "filling up" the battery after cranking.

If the ammeter is wired incorrectly, to read the generator output, you'd never know there was a problem if it stopped charging, as the needle would sit on zero, while your battery was in fact being discharged.

An ammeter wired correctly will show a continuous discharge (-) if in fact the generator was not charging or not keeping up with the loads.

Bern and UD are on track.

Perhaps a picture will help

Ultra - Thank you for replying, info was what I was looking for. Found problem to be a bad VR.

Bern -Thank you for replying, appreciate the info. Problem was bad VR.

Virgil-Thank you for the diagram it was helpful and I learned something.
Found problem to be bad VR.

What Bern said goes. When first cranking engine you should see a slight needle movement to the PLUS side of gauge. Engine should catch within the first few cranks if all is tuned correctly. AMMETER on average will show about 4-7 AMPS at idle, and running, when all is right with the world. Do you have the fan belt tension set correctly? Often times the belt tensioner is missing and thus, if not present or tight will never let the generator do its job. An ammeter needle jumping all around would be a big clue. When lights are switched on, a slight drop should be present but if needle goes to the MINUS/NEG side, either the battery is bad or the generator isn't working. Last step would be a bad VR and you can test that per the FO20 manual. If the generator has been disconnected, it may require to be repolarized. If all is well so far, the charging rate depends big time on the condition of the battery. Have you had it tested? The electrical system begins with the power source. A good brand of battery -INTERSTATE, DEKA, EAST PENN/DURACELL are best, and it must sustain a FULL CHARGE UNDER LOAD. Simply applying a battery charger does not mean the battery is taking the charge. Next step would be to get the battery, ammeter, and generator tested at your trusty local starter/alternator shop. It is a fact that 99.98% of all non-starting/ non or poor running issues are due to poor/incorrect wiring setups regardless if 6V or 12V. A good tuneup could be in order but get to root cause problem before mucking around with other systems.


FORD 600/800 WIRING DIAGRAM:

Tim Daley(MI)

Yup, as has been said.. initially high then tapers off. at idle, you may not get high.. just because it can't make good amps at idle. at mid throttle or better, fresh start.. you can see almost full gen output sometimes.. but it tapers quickly to just a positive deflection usually, assuming it is correctly wired for a net reading.

Soundguy
Thank you for the additional comments, appreciate it.
steve

Tim-Thank you very much for the detailed response. Yes the belt was tight and there is a tensioner. Battery is a new NAPA one. Your thought on the local
starter shop is where I am at. This AM took battery, ammeter, generator and VR over to him. Guy has been doing it for 50 years and extremely knowledgable.
The meter was showing way over charge so I said instead of guessing I'll take to starter guy. This is my first go round with wiring, but find it very interesting.
Again, thanks for the comments and diagram it is sincerely appreciated.