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Ammeter Wiring

Your old Chris-Craft electrical system can be a challenge. If it runs on "juice" pose your questions and offer your advice here.

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jbyers
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Ammeter Wiring

Post by jbyers » Thu Jul 30, 2015 8:49 pm

I may have wired my ammeter backwards after reinstalling the generator and starter. I remember the two red battery wires were on one terminal and the other wires were on the other terminal of the ammeter.

When I turn the ignition briefly, but not wanting to start the engine, the ammeter needle moves slightly toward the discharge side. Is this correct, or did I install the wires backwards???

By the way, it's a 58 Cavalier, 12 volt system.

Thanks in advance.

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Re: Ammeter Wiring

Post by jnbailey71 » Thu Jul 30, 2015 8:55 pm

The bottom connection on the black side should be from the voltage regulator and the top connection goes to the navigation switch and ignition cylinder on connection B
Josh Bailey
1958 15' Chris-Craft Cavalier Utility K95

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Re: Ammeter Wiring

Post by jbyers » Thu Jul 30, 2015 9:03 pm

Josh my terminals are on the left and right. May be an aftermarket ammeter. Not sure.

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Re: Ammeter Wiring

Post by jnbailey71 » Thu Jul 30, 2015 9:09 pm

Sorry I am looking at pictures as well as the diagram I created... If your ammeter gauge is not upside down when you are looking at it on the dash it has to be wire correctly. Looking at the gauge terminals from behind the dash the red goes on the right and the black goes on the left.
Josh Bailey
1958 15' Chris-Craft Cavalier Utility K95

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Re: Ammeter Wiring

Post by jnbailey71 » Thu Jul 30, 2015 9:10 pm

Does your gauge have WS on the front of it?
Josh Bailey
1958 15' Chris-Craft Cavalier Utility K95

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Re: Ammeter Wiring

Post by jbyers » Thu Jul 30, 2015 9:21 pm

I'll check tomorrow.

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Re: Ammeter Wiring

Post by jnbailey71 » Thu Jul 30, 2015 10:12 pm

Check for SW not WS... I am a mess tonight lol... I attached a picture of my gauges that are original.
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Josh Bailey
1958 15' Chris-Craft Cavalier Utility K95

jbyers
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Re: Ammeter Wiring

Post by jbyers » Fri Jul 31, 2015 7:49 am

Yes, it does say SW on the gauge. Thanks for the explanation of where the wires go. I think I reversed them when I replaced the wires. I'll get that corrected now that I know..... thanks.

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Re: Ammeter Wiring

Post by evansjw44 » Fri Jul 31, 2015 8:10 am

If you turn the key on without starting the engine and the ammeter moves toward discharge you have wired it correctly.
Jim Evans

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Re: Ammeter Wiring

Post by jbyers » Fri Jul 31, 2015 8:30 am

Thanks Jim...... maybe I lucked into it and wired it correctly..........

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Re: Ammeter Wiring

Post by JimF » Fri Jul 31, 2015 8:54 am

This may not be important to you but the SW labeled gauges are probably not original. They are similar to original but the faces would be painted more like the tachometer face and not have the SW logo.
1930 Chris-Craft Model 100 20' "MOXIE"
1940 Chris-Craft Red and White 25' "Old Paint"
1946 Chris-Craft Sportsman 25' "CinCity"

jbyers
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Re: Ammeter Wiring

Post by jbyers » Fri Jul 31, 2015 9:00 am

I wondered about that Jim. My gauges seem to be of several varieties. Only the tach says Chris Craft on it. This boat will never make it to show, so that part really doesn't matter much, still it's good to know. I once showed Thunderbirds at the highest level in their judging system, so those kind of things definitely interest me.

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Re: Ammeter Wiring

Post by jnbailey71 » Fri Jul 31, 2015 9:01 am

Bummer- to my knowledge they had never changed so that must have happened in the 70's. They look close enough for my preference!
Josh Bailey
1958 15' Chris-Craft Cavalier Utility K95

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ClassOf56
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Re: Ammeter Wiring

Post by ClassOf56 » Fri Jul 31, 2015 11:36 am

Yeah, Stewart Warner guages were all the rage!
Steve A
1956 18' Chris-Craft Continental

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