[NJARC] Ampmeter on 1935 Harley Davidson

[Ray Chase]

Having been there in the 1930's I can attest that no cars or bikes had 
voltmeters.  I seldom saw voltmeters in cars even into the 60's and 70's. 
Consider the situation.  Initially the automotive electrical system was only 
designed to take care of spark, lights and maintaining a battery charge so 
one could start the engine again.  One kept an eye on the ammeter to make 
sure it was mostly on the plus side so one was assured of a restart.  Then 
came car radios and other accessories such as that wire frame heater that 
you suction cupped to the inside of your windshield as a defroster, a hot 
water heater with a blower motor, etc.  Having your girl friend out for a 
jaunt on a cold winter night and you better watch that ammeter lest you 
loose your charge (battery that is) and catch hell from her mother when you 
cannot start the car after parking for a while with the radio on!  Been 
there, done that.
Ray
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Al Klase" <ark at ar88.net>
To: <njarc at mailman.qth.net>
Sent: Tuesday, March 12, 2013 5:22 PM
Subject: Re: [NJARC] Ampmeter on 1935 Harley Davidson


> Just remember
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>
> _________________________________________________________
> Jerry,
>
> I don't know much about bikes, but in the days before idiot lights, 
> standard automotive instrumentation included an ammeter.  It allows you 
> judge if and to what extent the system was charging or discharging.  The 
> generators were pretty wimpy, so this was a good thing.  Not many cars had 
> voltmeters.
>
> Al
>
> On 3/12/2013 4:50 PM, Karin Dowgin wrote:
>> Just remember
>> Reply = Poster
>> Reply All = Everyone
>>
>> _________________________________________________________
>> Greetings
>>
>> Does anyone know why a 1935 Harley Davidson Motorcycle would have a 
>> ampmeter mounted on the top of the gas tank rather than a voltmeter?
>>
>> Jerry Dowgin
>>
>> Sent from Jerry's IPAD !
>>
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> -- 
> Al Klase - N3FRQ
> Jersey City, NJ
> http://www.skywaves.ar88.net/
>
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