Re: Electrical help

Posted by John T on July 16, 2021 at 05:33:46 from (45.16.200.171):

In Reply to: Electrical help posted by grandpa Love on July 15, 2021 at 19:06:57:

Grandpa, great question 'Can I use this meter to check voltage from the coil to distributor on my Fords and cubs?'

NOTE my answer and analysis is actually for measuring 'volts FROM coil TO frame/ground' as I think that's your intention, if NOT let me know. The actual voltage 'FROM coil output TO distributor' would be near zero but subject to current and resistance of the wire... Its voltage from coil to frame/ground thats more important then the resistance and resultant voltage drop in the small wire from coil to distributor terminal for your purposes I believe ?????????

SURE you can use it provide it 'works' and is at least somewhat accurate, even if its NOT as accurate or as perfect as an expensive quality meter, it can still provide at least a useable indication for what you asked about IE ' Can I use this meter to check voltage from the coil to distributor' ???????????????

Set it on the 50 VDC scale (one on right side) so you can read the needle at 12 + or - on the 50 V.ma scale or whatever the battery is and meters accuracy (use 10 for a 6 volt tractor)

NOTE 1) If your points are working and fully closing and NOT badly burned or pitted or carboned over, the voltage FROM THE COIL TO DISTRIBUTOR terminal (Thats what you asked about or intend I think??) with respect to frame ground

1) Should be near zero when the points are closed

2) Battery voltage when the points are open

If you had ignition on AND ENGINE TURNED OVER SLOWLY a meter (or test light) on coils output to distributor with other lead on frame/ground, should flash ON near battery volts when points are OPEN, but OFF zero volts when closed !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

NOTE 2 If there were any external series voltage dropping ballast resistor and the switch was on and POINTS CLOSED only then would the voltage on the coils INPUT (from switch NOT to distributor side) with respect to ground be reduced from 12 to 6. If points are open (no current flow no V = I x R drop) voltage on coil with respect to ground would still be battery voltage.

REGARDING YOUR METER

Just because its cheap even if NOT perfect, hey it can still help just as good as if it were an expensive one. It DOES NOT have to be perfect accurate to read volts on coils output to distributor with respect to ground!!!!!!!!!! Cheap or expensive to read volts on coils output to distributor (your question) it should still be near zero points closed and near battery voltage points open

Being an electrical engineer and electrical hobbyist for over 60 years Ive owned a ton of meters and despite having more accurate digital units I STILL LOVE MY OLD SIMPSON 260 ANALOG for its damping characteristics when looking into noisy pulsing arcing brushes etc old tractor generator systems. Actually I like it BETTER them an expensive digital when it comes to 'certain' old tractor generator use yayyyyyyy Simpson for several old tractor applications but YAYYYYYYYY for my expensive Digital for other uses. EACH has its place in my toolbox, I love having options and having BOTH........But thats just me others are entitled to their opinions and what meter to use.....

BOTTOM LINE Yessssssssss you can use that meter if it works and don't need an expensive digital for crude approximate old tractor DC application where perfect isnt required....

Hope this helps and answers your question

Best wishes and God Bless Grandpa, take care now be happy be kind

John T

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