Charging issue '70 Swinger
73AdodEE,
my battery has never gone dead and the system is charging when i pull the + side cable off the battery
Gezzz, never disconnect battery with engine running, this action will kill diodes.
or show a voltage drop beyond my "normal" discharge reading even in gear. those older gauges are very sensitive to voltage and the slightest fluctuation in voltage will usually register
Unless you replaced Amp Gage with Volt meter, the stock gage is showing current or amps, passing through the bulkhead connector, and which way current is flowing in relation to battery charge level, and alternator output.
there arent very many parts that can cause a draw in your charging system in these old cars outside of a short circuit somewhere
Current draw is relative, if you have a 36 amp alternator, headlight, heater fan, and recent starting of engine can be a lot draw. With a 60 amp alternator, upgrade sound system, headlights, heater fan, and electric radiator fan will be a big load at idle. The reason your relay powered headlights don’t move the amp gage is because the current flowing from alternator is bypassing the gage going directly to lighting load.
By the way, using relays to operate lighting loads, electric choke, engine cooling fans, and convertible top motor is about the best wiring up grade one can do on an old Mopar. Good job there 73.
Oh one more housekeeping thing. Please help us half blind old farts out a little by using caps to start sentences, and spacing between paragraphs for easer reading and understanding of your thoughts.