The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area The Electrical Bay 1949 Chevy Truck DC Gauge

I have a question on my DC (ammeter gauge. It is a 12v system. I neglected to mark the wires after removing them from the back of the gauge. I know not very smart of me. Anyway I have 5 wires coming from the following areas - one from the alternator, one from the solenoid, one from the headlight switch, one from the ignition key, and one from the fuse box. My question is which wires go to the positive post on the back of the gauge, and which wires go on the positive side of the gauge. thanks for your help. Robert

I think you mean positive post and negative post on the ammeter.
This 1949 Truck Wiring schematic might help.
The schematic is for the original 6 volt system, you said your truck has been converted to 12 volts.

Do you have a 12 volt alternator or 12 volt generator ?
Do you have a voltage regulator ?
Do you have a foot starter or a solenoid starter ?

The Ammeter's rear post, are determined by using the markings on the face of the gauge.
The (D -) Discharge is your Ammeter's Negative post.
The (C +) Charge is your Ammeter's Positive post.
There is no battery negative voltage connect to the ammeter, only positive voltage.
The ammeter shows if the battery is charging or discharging. Above 0 + Positive or below 0 - Negative.

Yes it is converted to 12v by a previous owner. I have a 12v alternator. I do not have a voltage regulator. I have a push button starter. I do have a solenoid.

It doesn't matter on the ammeter, if it indicates backwards(+ when headlights on), just switch the wires.

Ed

Ed. So the wires from the alternator, the solonoid and the ignition all attach to the C + chrge, and the wire from the headlight and fusebox go to the D- charge?

Thanks but I'm still not clear where to connect the wires. Read above I have 5 wires to connect to the gauge. What wires connect to what side of the gauge +, -.

Not knowing exactly what have and how the 12 volt conversion has been wired.
It would be better to let someone with a lot of experience in 12 volt conversions to advise you on how to proceed.
It is hard to advise someone on how to wire their truck unless you are there in person.

These guys would know where those wires go, at least they would ask the right questions.
Here is a link to YNZ Yesterdays Parts they build wiring harness.

The thing is, there are different types of alternators and each are wired differently.

Its a singe wire Alternator. Getting back to the Ammeter. As I understand it the charging side + is connected to the battery (10 gauge red wire), and the other items namely the headlight switch, the Alternator, and ignition key are connected to the D - side..