And the vote is in. I have just removed any doubts as far as I am
concerned about which gauge is more useful. And the winner is. . .the
ammeter!! After having had to do a little work on the radiator and
shrouding after the trip home from Triumphest, I was checking the car for
leaks and noticed the gauge showing a 10 amp drain while idling. Every
thing was working fine before the radiator work, but the alternator
apparently decided to take a dump. It was VERY apparent that I had a
problem, and quick confirmation with a DIGITAL voltmeter showed that I was
not charging. The information from the old thermal voltmeter that I used
to have in there gave marginal info at best, and I know that I probably
wouldn't have noticed that there was a problem until after something died
had I retained it and not replace it with the ammeter in there now. The
indicator light in the Speedometer is so dim I wouldn't have seen it
anyway, as you can only see it when it's dark out, and then, only just
barely. So for me, it's an ammeter (as if I had any doubts anyway).
As a side note, after the always futile conversation with the counter
person (the car has a GM alternator, and non stock motor, so I can't tell
you what car it goes in JUST GIVE ME A FRIGGIN 63 AMP ALTERNATOR FOR A 1975
GM VEHICLE (gun pointing at his head, crazed look in my eyes, OK just
kidding)!!!!) I noticed that after I told him " OK, OK it goes in a
Spitfire, BUT. . ." the screen showed both the Lucas unit and an AC Delco
unit. Could this be a GM direct bolt on replacement that fits, or is it a
Lucas type built under licence by Delco?? I didn't have him pull it because
at that point I just wanted to get home before it got dark out to put it in
and check everything
Barry Schwartz (San Diego) bschwart@pacbell.net
72 V6 Spitfire (daily driver)
70 GT6+ (when I don't drive the Spit)
70 Spitfire (someday soon back on the road)
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