yes left is the discharge side [always with a vehicle left/right are from the drivers position], but dead center is key off only, commonly when running and everything is fine the gauge will/can show
slightly toward the discharge side, even tho there's no real discharge happening [other than the coil] - if the gen/alt is dead, it'll show a LOT to the left, maybe all the way - notice these gauges are so high tech they have NO numbers on them, but they aren't just "C" or "D"
and you don't want it to ever show steadily to the right, the battery will get fried .... the circuit is controlled by the regulator, and there will be times when the battery is charged enough for the regulator to cut the generator out of the circuit
yes JD, center is off/normal, a definite movement left = discharge [D], often just momentary until regulator cuts the generator in - movement to the right = charge [C], and should steadily move back to center as the generator brings the battery back up, faster after a 'small' draw, slower after a major draw, like extended cranking
Bill
