Does anyone know how to test the orginal equipment Amp meter used in the 1965 Nova SS. What should it read across the terminals with the wires disconnected, using an Ohm meter? Or is there anyother way to check it. Thanks

Take it to any parts store most have a test fixture that will spin it up and measure field strength (winding insulation), Amp out put on against a resistive load (function), and the friction to spin up that armature (bearings).


Big Dave

Dave he wants to know how to test the guage, not the alternator. Can you help? I don't know how. I do know that it needs a shunt to work properly and they are now available from Chevy2Only (http://www.parts123.com/parts123/yb.dll?parta~dyndetail~Z5Z5Z50000132a~Z5Z5Z5AAGKR~ P44.95~~~~S1RN0VTYQ512432013136x~Z5Z5Z5~Z5Z5Z50000 132A).

He will need an analog GE-YEW (Yokogawa Electrical Works) 100 Amp meter and a resistive load (a bunch of 12 volt light bulbs) as well as a fresh battery. Hook meter in series with battery, switch, stock meter, and the resistive load (headlights). Turn on the switch and compare the two readings. The factory gauge may have an adjustment cam inside to correct the reading, but only a few came that way. You can vary the resistive load to get several discharge readings and compare with the factory gauge to assure any discrepancy in the reading is linear.

To read charging Amps you would need to wire the car alternator into the circuit, or get a heavy duty battery charger. (Voltage should have no effect on the Amp Meter though A/C voltage will effect accuracy if diodes are bad.


Big Dave