Thanks Jerry
It's a generator converted to 12 volt system...
The BAT terminal on the regulator goes to one terminal on the ammeter then to the starter switch and the other terminal goes to the ignition switch
There's your problem. The BAT wire from the regulator should attach to the same leg of the ammeter as the supply wire to the ignition switch, along with the wires to the fuse block, if any, and the headlight switch. The only connection to the other ammeter post will be the wire to the starter. That way, current into and out of the battery must pass through the ammeter before going anywhere else. Turning the lights or the ignition on without the engine running will show a discharge since current is being drawn from the battery. Once the generator supplies all the current to ignition, lights, heater blower, etc. any excess current capacity will go to recharging the battery and the ammeter will deflect to the + side. If the ammeter goes toward + with the engine off and the lights, etc. on, swap the wires at the back of the ammeter.
Jerry
