Bob N.Y.
Well-known Member
- Location
- Norway, N.Y.
Is there a difference between a standard automotive ammeter and one that is designed specifically for a tractor?
- Thread starter Bob N.Y.
- Start date
old
Well-known Member
- Location
- Camdenton Missouri
For the most part NO. Ya some on tractors have the IH or other such name brand in them but an amp gauge is pretty much an amp gauge be it on a tractor or a truck or car
Janicholson
Well-known Member
An amp meter is (as old indicates) the same except for the face lettering. If it is alternator equipped, I would put a gauge in the tractor that was about 10 to 20% greater in scale reading than the alternator. So a 40 amp alternator would need a 50 amp gauge. A 60 amp alt. would need an 89 amp reading gauge. Jim
Walt Davies
Well-known Member
Yep, one fits the truck dash and one fits the tractor dash.
Walt
Giggle
Walt
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Brian G. NY
Well-known Member
An ammeter is an ammeter, generally speaking.
However, there can certainly be a difference in quality.
When I converted one of my tractors to 12 volt I found the ammeter needle jumped about a lot.
At first I thought there was something wrong with the alternator or regulator but I finally discovered that it was reacting to the vibration of the engine.
I put a better (Stewart-Warner) ammeter on and no more problem.
The other ammeter probably would work alright in an automotive situation where the engine is somewhat isolated from the dash where it is mounted.
However, there can certainly be a difference in quality.
When I converted one of my tractors to 12 volt I found the ammeter needle jumped about a lot.
At first I thought there was something wrong with the alternator or regulator but I finally discovered that it was reacting to the vibration of the engine.
I put a better (Stewart-Warner) ammeter on and no more problem.
The other ammeter probably would work alright in an automotive situation where the engine is somewhat isolated from the dash where it is mounted.
old
Well-known Member
- Location
- Camdenton Missouri
That a quality thing not a gauge thing. Any thing now days can look good but be junk and even a name brand can be that way
Bob, an ammeter (direct) is a passive series pass through current measuring device REGARDLESS if the current is on a tractor or Hummer or Bulldozer.........An "ideal" ammeter has ZERO ohms of internal resistance so even a cheap direct series meter meter will have extreme low internal resistance.
HOWEVER the range and resolution is another whole matter. For instance, the range for an old generator equipped tractor may be + 20 to - 20 or + 30 to - 30 etc., while if on a later model car or tractor with an alternator it may be 60 to 60 or even 100 to 100 AND THATS NOT AS ACCURATE OR AS EASY TO READ if youre operaitng in the 20 or 30 amps range.
Sooooooo basically an ammeter is an ammeter REGARDLESS if on a tractor or auto or a widget but the scale and range may be quite different. If an old tractor its likely 20 or 30 amp so if you buy an automotive unit it may be 60 or 100
Hope this helps
John T
HOWEVER the range and resolution is another whole matter. For instance, the range for an old generator equipped tractor may be + 20 to - 20 or + 30 to - 30 etc., while if on a later model car or tractor with an alternator it may be 60 to 60 or even 100 to 100 AND THATS NOT AS ACCURATE OR AS EASY TO READ if youre operaitng in the 20 or 30 amps range.
Sooooooo basically an ammeter is an ammeter REGARDLESS if on a tractor or auto or a widget but the scale and range may be quite different. If an old tractor its likely 20 or 30 amp so if you buy an automotive unit it may be 60 or 100
Hope this helps
John T
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Bob N.Y.
Well-known Member
- Location
- Norway, N.Y.
That is exactly the problem I have. My MF 165 has an after market ammeter and the needle dances around so much that I really can't tell what it is registering. My 65 has the original ammeter. That one doesn't "dance" at all.
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OP
Bob N.Y.
Well-known Member
- Location
- Norway, N.Y.
My tractor has the original generator. I have been checking the websites of various auto parts venders. Napa lists an ammeter with a plus or minus 30 range. Thanks for that tip.
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