Amp gauge reading with A C on hi?
Is it normal in a c2 with factory A C for the amp gauge to show a charge of about twenty amps when the A C is on high? Seems the increased output on alternator to run the A C is being measured rather then the amp gauge showing the total draw on the battery minus the alternator output. Factory wiring harness and connected according to service manual. Just can not wrap my head around this quirk. Anyone have the same problem or anyone figured out a cure? Thanks in advance!
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Re: Amp gauge reading with A C on hi?
John,
Read back thru the similar threads below and you will find the (AMP) gauge is not an amp gauge anyway. And amp gauge is connected in series to measure the current flow. Mid year amp gauges are just volt meters seeing a potential difference between two points.
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Re: Amp gauge reading with A C on hi?
Perhaps I need to reword the question : If you have a 66 corvette with Air Conditioning, and you switch on the AC with blower on high speed, what is the reading on your amp gauge? Does it show zero amps, or does it show a positive charge of approx. 20 amps? Thanks!Comment
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Re: Amp gauge reading with A C on hi?
Dave, you are correct that the wire to the blower relay is the key to the amp gauge reading wonky. The 66 wire harness for AC is adding an overlay harness for the AC and dead ending the heater blower harness by taping up the original heater blower end of the original harness and adding another separate harness in its place. That "overlay harness" gets blower high seed power from the battery terminal of the starter and therefore does not have any effect on the amp gauge. (the amp gauge shows a positive reading equal to the current flow to the blower relay) There is no "black with with a fuse" in the harness to connect to the horn relay. It is not present in any wire harness for the horn relay. Something is badly wrong with this arrangement but I am not sure how to rectify it given the wiring available. So, does anyone have a factory air 66 that could check their amp gauge reading with a fully charged battery with the AC running and the blower on high speed and see if all cars so equipped have this quirk or the LL harness is at fault? All opinions and findings are welcome and appreciated.Comment
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Re: Amp gauge reading with A C on hi?
I also have a '66 A/C car, with the car not running key on the gauge shows appropriate - values as I turn on the headlights, turn signals, fan switch in low and medium, however when I put the fan on high I show a -25 draw, with the red wire attached to the horn relay. If I start the car and go through the same routine the gauge deviates but returns to centre except when I put the blower on high then I show a -10, revving the motor does not help.If I connect the red wire to the + side of the battery, car off, go through the same routine, gauge behaves as before and the blower high speed setting now reads within the appropriate range. Starting the car wire on + battery post, same routine the gauge behaves as expected little deflect then returns to centre, even the fan speed on high, gauge behaves normal. Had the car out on Monday, red wire hooked to a different + source, blower switch on high gauge was working normal. The fuse in the red wire does not blow under any circumstance.Comment
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