Re: charging problem

Posted by jdemaris on February 27, 2005 at 06:41:55 from (209.23.28.89):

In Reply to: charging problem posted by n8terry on February 26, 2005 at 22:05:28:

If you are sure it is actually showing a slight discharge with the ignition on and engine
not running - i.e. the gauge isn't just stuck in that position - then you know that current is
being drawn FROM the battery and being displayed on the ampere gauge. And, if you
are sure the battery is coming up to 14 volts when running (if it shows 14 volts when
NOT running you've problems with your voltmeter), then current IS flowing to the
battery when running. So, that leaves you with a few options for why the gauge does not
show a charge. #1 - the charge circuit from the alternator output is wired in a way that it
is bypassing the gauge but is still connected to the battery. This can happen just from
having the wire on the wrong terminal of the gauge. #2 - as aforementioned, the gauge is
not working in one direction. #3 You've got a shunt-wired gauge, and NOT a direct
reading gauge. These are commonly used to cut down on wire sizes to distant gauges.
They provide a representative reading and not an actual reading.
As far as electric analogies - in my opinion, voltage is the "pressure" and/or potential,
and "current" measured in amperes, is the rate of flow. Compare it to a water faucet - if
turned off and your system is set at 40 PSI - then that 40 PSI is analogous to voltage.
Once you turn the faucet on, the it flows at the rate of 5 gallons per minute - that is
analogous to amperes. And, if the water pipes are half-clogged thus impeding the water
flow, that is "resistance" any way you look at it. I'll stop with the analogies; they are not
perfect, but close enough.
As far as replacing the ampere gauge with a voltmeter - I do not believe one is better
than the other. They both tell you different things and neither tells the whole story of
system condition. In an ideal setup, you'd have both.

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