Alt wiring

Hey guys
searched the forums and came up empty,but this will be easy for you guys.
had current going through my battery with nothing on -- and traced it to my charging circuit.
My Ammeter was wired direct between the battery and the alternator without a switch which was causing a very tiny current draw. I'm thinking instead of having the ammeter direct,(Bat --starter--ammeter--Alt) I would switch it through the ignition switch. (bat--starter--Ign-- Ign--ammeter--alt)

Looks right on paper but I was up very late last night

Shafe

 

With ammeter in circuit between alt and battery, the ammeter will only show charge. Thats because the diodes in alt are a one-way gate and will not allow a circuit to ground which would cause a discharge. However, a diode can loose its reverse direction resistance which will allow a drain. How were you measuring the small current draw? You may still have a problem with drain, depending on how you wire everything to the ign sw..

 

Walt
Its Rigged the whole way through. the negative batt cable would spark a tiny bit when i touched it to the batt..
I'm gonna try using a volt meter to simplify things.
batt to Starter--starter to alt.. starter to lights --lights to ign hopefully that will get it..
Does that sound OK

Shafe

 

Yep.. Volt meter will simplify and is preferred by many.. see http://www.madelectrical.com/electrical-tech.shtml