67 Barracuda Heavy Electric Load
Here is one of my favorite simplified diagrams
This comes from the MAD article I linked earlier
http://www.madelectrical.com/electricaltech/amp-gauges.shtml
Now, you do NOT have to do the conversion as they did, and many advocate not, but I use this as a reference as to the how and why and the bad things about factory wiring
Follow the path.
We of course are talking here about bone stock factory wiring, but if the bulkhead is still used for the charge wire, and if the ammeter is still functioning, that is pretty much what you have. Starting at the alternator, the output (black wire) goes through the bulkhead connector.
RIGHT AWAY we have two problems. The factory charge wire is only no 10, and the bulkhead connector terminals are 1/4" flag/ spade terminals. IN HVAC they are used i electric furnaces for a nominal 20-25A current flow AND STILL FAIL sometimes.
From the bulkhead connector, the wire continues on to the AMMETER.
Where we have another two or three problems. the wire is still too small, the eyelet wire ends can fail, and the ammeter itself can fail and get hot. Then we turn it to RED, out of the ammeter, and at some point go BACK OUT the bulkhead connector, again through a 1/4" flag terminal, and back to the battery.
NONE OF THIS IS good for more than about 45-50A under heavy duty cycle conditions.
Here is one of my favorite simplified diagrams
This comes from the MAD article I linked earlier
http://www.madelectrical.com/electricaltech/amp-gauges.shtml
Now, you do NOT have to do the conversion as they did, and many advocate not, but I use this as a reference as to the how and why and the bad things about factory wiring
Follow the path.
We of course are talking here about bone stock factory wiring, but if the bulkhead is still used for the charge wire, and if the ammeter is still functioning, that is pretty much what you have. Starting at the alternator, the output (black wire) goes through the bulkhead connector.
RIGHT AWAY we have two problems. The factory charge wire is only no 10, and the bulkhead connector terminals are 1/4" flag/ spade terminals. IN HVAC they are used i electric furnaces for a nominal 20-25A current flow AND STILL FAIL sometimes.
From the bulkhead connector, the wire continues on to the AMMETER.
Where we have another two or three problems. the wire is still too small, the eyelet wire ends can fail, and the ammeter itself can fail and get hot. Then we turn it to RED, out of the ammeter, and at some point go BACK OUT the bulkhead connector, again through a 1/4" flag terminal, and back to the battery.
NONE OF THIS IS good for more than about 45-50A under heavy duty cycle conditions.
