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Disconnecting Ammeter (precautionary)
#2343887
07/26/17 08:54 PM
07/26/17 08:54 PM
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Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 15,806
Central Florida
larrymopar360
OP
Stud Muffin
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OP
Stud Muffin
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 15,806
Central Florida
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I've been advised to "bypass" the Ammeter in my newly purchased '79 Power Wagon as they are a fire hazard, or at least melt the dash hazard. I do recall hearing this before, I believe possibly on other Mopars. I'd really like to still have the gauge in the pod for looks. I have not opened up the dash yet, but am about to as I have purchased NOS gauges to replace faded ones and the typical broken speedometer needle. I want to do everything at once while I have dash apart, and I am wondering if there's a wire or two I can snip on the Ammeter behind face plate, and still have it plugged into the pod for the sake of looks?
Thanks.
Facts are stubborn things.
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Re: Disconnecting Ammeter (precautionary)
[Re: larrymopar360]
#2343896
07/26/17 09:03 PM
07/26/17 09:03 PM
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Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 12,494
Western Colorado High Desert
moparmarks
I Live Here
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I Live Here
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 12,494
Western Colorado High Desert
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Just put both the red and black wires under the same post of the meter. Bypasses the meter and maintains a closed circuit. No cutting, no splicing, no problems.
Might want to add a voltmeter on the bottom of the dash or someplace. Can tap off of the same post of the ammeter that the two wires are on for the hot lead to the voltmeter. Then just ground the other voltmeter lead.
72 Satellite Sebring Plus 440, 72 Dart 5.9 4-spd, 68 Valiant, 73 W200, 78 D100 sb, 78 D200, 98 DAKOTA, . Moparmarks Parts & Restorations Desert Mopar Metal Grand Jct. CO 970-261-7039 http://moparmark.com/motormangj@gmail.com
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Re: Disconnecting Ammeter (precautionary)
[Re: larrymopar360]
#2343951
07/26/17 10:20 PM
07/26/17 10:20 PM
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Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 15,806
Central Florida
larrymopar360
OP
Stud Muffin
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OP
Stud Muffin
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 15,806
Central Florida
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Thank you moparmarks. I was thinking of adding voltmeter in a semi-discrete place (I like the clean stock look) so I will do as you advise with wire.
Thanks again for valuable information.
Larry
Facts are stubborn things.
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Re: Disconnecting Ammeter (precautionary)
[Re: larrymopar360]
#2344061
07/27/17 02:27 AM
07/27/17 02:27 AM
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Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 1,093
It's beer:30 somewhere
adventurer
super stock
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super stock
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 1,093
It's beer:30 somewhere
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Thank you moparmarks. I was thinking of adding voltmeter in a semi-discrete place (I like the clean stock look) so I will do as you advise with wire.
Thanks again for valuable information.
Larry For a stock look add the factory voltage and vacuum gauge to the left side of your dash. There is set on eBay right now (not mine) a bit pricey if you look around at swap meets you will find a deal on a set of gauges. 
77 Dodge Adventurer SE 440 2wd SWB
78 Dodge Adventurer SE 440 2wd Utiline
90 Dodge D150 SWB 2wd 318fi 4speed
60 Desoto Adventurer 2dr
67 Dodge Dart Gt Conv. 273 4bbl
04 PT Cruiser GT Turbo
14 Ram R/T
"Life's to short to drink cheap beer."
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Re: Disconnecting Ammeter (precautionary)
[Re: larrymopar360]
#2344359
07/27/17 03:01 PM
07/27/17 03:01 PM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 21,059
Niles , Ohio
therocks
oh wait.but hey.lets see.oh yeah.
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oh wait.but hey.lets see.oh yeah.
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 21,059
Niles , Ohio
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I opwend a lot of them I disconnected the amp gauge on all of them.Then used a volt meter.Just as said disconnect the battery.Pull the gaue palen for it and disconnect the wires.I just used a screw and nut then taped the heck ouy ot them and put it all back.Never a problem You can also put both on one side of the gauge.Rocky
Chrysler Firepower
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Re: Disconnecting Ammeter (precautionary)
[Re: therocks]
#2345273
07/29/17 02:02 PM
07/29/17 02:02 PM
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Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 3,886
Lost and Spaced
bboogieart
master
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master
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 3,886
Lost and Spaced
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You want stock, you got stock.
I see no reason to by pass that gauge.
Just make sure your connections are clean and solid.
Don't forget the bulk head connections.
As long as all is well the system works fine.
Just one mans opinion.
I have mechanical Aptitude.
I can screw up anything.
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Re: Disconnecting Ammeter (precautionary)
[Re: larrymopar360]
#2345319
07/29/17 04:09 PM
07/29/17 04:09 PM
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Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 15,806
Central Florida
larrymopar360
OP
Stud Muffin
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OP
Stud Muffin
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 15,806
Central Florida
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Adventurer I will check out ebay, thanks. I've only looked at NOS Ammeter for the new unfaded needle.
therocks; thanks for your info.
bboogieart: I've just heard of too many melted housings on these trucks. It worries me to leave it connected, even with clean connections. I don't think the stock Ammeter really does me much good anyhow. Every old Mopar I've had that had an issue, I noticed dimming headlights or dash lights before the Ammeter gave me a warning. I do thank you for your opinion though.
Facts are stubborn things.
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Re: Disconnecting Ammeter (precautionary)
[Re: larrymopar360]
#2347156
08/02/17 08:21 AM
08/02/17 08:21 AM
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Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 1,093
It's beer:30 somewhere
adventurer
super stock
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super stock
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 1,093
It's beer:30 somewhere
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There is a volts and vacuum gauge pod for sale in the truck parts section on this site (not mine), Just thought I would point it out to you so you could see what one looks like. The bezels were also made in wood grain finish also in case that is how your dash is.
77 Dodge Adventurer SE 440 2wd SWB
78 Dodge Adventurer SE 440 2wd Utiline
90 Dodge D150 SWB 2wd 318fi 4speed
60 Desoto Adventurer 2dr
67 Dodge Dart Gt Conv. 273 4bbl
04 PT Cruiser GT Turbo
14 Ram R/T
"Life's to short to drink cheap beer."
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Re: Disconnecting Ammeter (precautionary)
[Re: adventurer]
#2347493
08/02/17 09:43 PM
08/02/17 09:43 PM
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Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 15,806
Central Florida
larrymopar360
OP
Stud Muffin
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OP
Stud Muffin
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 15,806
Central Florida
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There is a volts and vacuum gauge pod for sale in the truck parts section on this site (not mine), Just thought I would point it out to you so you could see what one looks like. The bezels were also made in wood grain finish also in case that is how your dash is. I checked it out. Nice. Mine is not woodgrain. Thanks for pointing it out for me to check out.
Last edited by larrymopar360; 08/02/17 09:45 PM.
Facts are stubborn things.
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Re: Disconnecting Ammeter (precautionary)
[Re: larrymopar360]
#2347504
08/02/17 10:08 PM
08/02/17 10:08 PM
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Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 15,806
Central Florida
larrymopar360
OP
Stud Muffin
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OP
Stud Muffin
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 15,806
Central Florida
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Here's mine. Still haven't had a chance to replace broken speedometer and other gauges with the NOS ones I have, and bypass ammeter.
Facts are stubborn things.
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Re: Disconnecting Ammeter (precautionary)
[Re: moparmarks]
#2357124
08/20/17 02:22 PM
08/20/17 02:22 PM
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Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 15,806
Central Florida
larrymopar360
OP
Stud Muffin
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OP
Stud Muffin
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Posts: 15,806
Central Florida
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Just put both the red and black wires under the same post of the meter. Bypasses the meter and maintains a closed circuit. No cutting, no splicing, no problems.
Might want to add a voltmeter on the bottom of the dash or someplace. Can tap off of the same post of the ammeter that the two wires are on for the hot lead to the voltmeter. Then just ground the other voltmeter lead. Got side-tracked with engine stuff, so just getting around to this. Here's a NOS one I'm looking at. I don't see any wires. Are they hidden in pic? It's the only pic of back from seller.
Facts are stubborn things.
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Re: Disconnecting Ammeter (precautionary)
[Re: larrymopar360]
#2357257
08/20/17 08:14 PM
08/20/17 08:14 PM
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Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 15,806
Central Florida
larrymopar360
OP
Stud Muffin
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OP
Stud Muffin
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 15,806
Central Florida
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T2R9: Thank you so much for info and pics! Perfect. Looks good and I appreciate the part number too!
Larry
Facts are stubborn things.
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Re: Disconnecting Ammeter (precautionary)
[Re: 77ProStreet]
#2357272
08/20/17 08:54 PM
08/20/17 08:54 PM
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Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 15,806
Central Florida
larrymopar360
OP
Stud Muffin
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OP
Stud Muffin
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 15,806
Central Florida
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The wires are the wiring from your truck, they connect to those posts. I have done this on several trucks, I just snip the ends and solder them together and wrap with heat shrink. Bypass it all! Thank you. If I don't do what T2R9 did right away, I'll at least do this until I do so I don't melt anything in the mean time. I do like what he did so I'll probably do that eventually anyway.  Larry
Facts are stubborn things.
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Re: Disconnecting Ammeter (precautionary)
[Re: ahy]
#2358129
08/22/17 03:06 PM
08/22/17 03:06 PM
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Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 15,806
Central Florida
larrymopar360
OP
Stud Muffin
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OP
Stud Muffin
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 15,806
Central Florida
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Have you bypassed charge current through the bulkhead connector yet? That is the weakest link in the system.
Ammeter connections are a weak link but not as much as the bulkhead connector.
True story... on a '74 D200 the bulkhead connector lasted until about year 5. Then melted. Emergency bypass lasted until year 20 when the truck was retired due to frame rust. The ammeter connections lasted the life of the truck.
If the alternator and electrical loads are stock, the ammeter should be OK with thoroughly cleaned and tightened and greased connections. If you have increased loads or alternator output or both, best to bypass the ammeter also IMO.
A nice heavy wire from alternator output to the fender relay bypasses both. Fusible link 2 gauge sizes smaller than the bypass wire recommended. A voltmeter is needed with this bypass as the ammeter will not be functional. Very interesting information. No, I have not done anything electrical yet. Truck leaking bigtime from freeze plugs so have been concentrating on engine. If you could post pics, I also would be VERY appreciative! Thanks again.
Facts are stubborn things.
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