Joseph James
Senior Member
I have had a voltage drop for a while now. Wipers slow to a crawl at idle, etc. This week, I left parking lights on and totally discharged the battery. Since then the ammeter indicates nearly full right when above idle. It should settle down after driving.
I checked the alternator output with an ammeter I have that features a DC clamp meter (thank you Fluke). I then checked voltage at alternator (15 volts) and at battery (13 volts). I have a significant voltage drop. Ergo, I have high resistance in the circuit and is a classic fire waiting to happen.
I examined the wiring and the battery conductor at the bulkhead connector has been spliced previously. The splice hasn’t held up. So, today’s project is to reroute new 10 gauge wiring through an existing firewall grommet. I will be using a mechanical butt splice as I don’t trust a standard butt splice to carry the load of the entire electrical system. I am using some 10 gauge THHN I have several spools of. It is rated 90 degrees centigrade and is oil/gasoline resistant.
I will not be bypassing the ammeter. I like it. I recently had the instrument panel out and had to remove those connections. They were cleaned up and tightened really well.
I checked the alternator output with an ammeter I have that features a DC clamp meter (thank you Fluke). I then checked voltage at alternator (15 volts) and at battery (13 volts). I have a significant voltage drop. Ergo, I have high resistance in the circuit and is a classic fire waiting to happen.
I examined the wiring and the battery conductor at the bulkhead connector has been spliced previously. The splice hasn’t held up. So, today’s project is to reroute new 10 gauge wiring through an existing firewall grommet. I will be using a mechanical butt splice as I don’t trust a standard butt splice to carry the load of the entire electrical system. I am using some 10 gauge THHN I have several spools of. It is rated 90 degrees centigrade and is oil/gasoline resistant.
I will not be bypassing the ammeter. I like it. I recently had the instrument panel out and had to remove those connections. They were cleaned up and tightened really well.