Heavy Duty ammeter

[Nacho-RT74]

And those higher than original alternators and the extra load of the modern conveiences we add are a bigger source of the problems incurred in these cars than "poorly designed" ammeter and bulkhead connector in my opinion.  We ask more of the electrical system than the engineers intended and then blame them for not anticipating the future.

partially true... if you source them from the wrong side and also install bigger batts instead bigger alts like mostly of ppl does

I explained that on another thread I can't find right now... searching

[Nacho-RT74]

found!

http://www.dodgecharger.com/forum/index.php/topic,62772.0.html

dunno if Moparts links still work... they expire around 2 years after the last reply

[Pete in NH]

And those higher than original alternators and the extra load of the modern conveniences we add are a bigger source of the problems incurred in these cars than "poorly designed" ammeter and bulkhead connector in my opinion.  We ask more of the electrical system than the engineers intended and then blame them for not anticipating the future.

EXACTLY!

By in large, I think the original engineers did a good job within the amount of money they were likely given to work with. Cost trimming is always a big deal in the auto industry. Yes, they did push the bulk head connector pins a bit on current. But, unless the system was dealing with a totally flat battery the current through those pins was likely within their ratings most of the time. The problem today is that age and corrosion have caught up with the bulk head pins, they aren't bright and clean anymore.

The original engineers knew that the bulk head connectors were being pushed a bit on current ratings and when they used 60 amp alternators in certain cars,  the bulk head connectors were bypassed and the wires run directly to the ammeter, which by the way, was upgraded to a 60 amp meter and heavier wire was used. The thing to remember is that they did think about the design as a total system. We need to look at it the same way when modifying it.