On Sun, 12 Jun 2016 16:41:32 -0400, Bob Engelhardt
wrote:

On 6/12/2016 1:46 PM, Jeff Liebermann wrote:
...

Note: The dashboard ammeter might be giving you a false impression
that the alternator is not charging. It's connected to the positive
wire going between the battery and the alternator. The various loads
in the forklift go to the battery. If the engine is at idle, the
battery is fully charged, and you have perhaps a 5 Amp load
(headlights), if the alternator is delivering 5 Amps to the lights,
the meter will read zero because the battery is not delivering any
current or being charged.
...

What you have described is this (where A is alternator, M is meter, B is
battery, & L is load):

A -- M -- B
|
L

That does not do what you say (the alt supplying the load does show on
meter).

This does what you say:

A -- . -- M -- B
|
L

Oops. Y're right. The load is on the alternator side.

The problem is still there with the correct wiring. If the alternator
is providing all the current needed by the load, the battery provides
no current, and the meter does not indicate any drain. Turn off the
engine, and the meter will indicate a drain from the load.

Thanks for the correction.


--
Jeff Liebermann
150 Felker St #D http://www.LearnByDestroying.com
Santa Cruz CA 95060 http://802.11junk.com
Skype: JeffLiebermann AE6KS 831-336-2558