Alternative to ammeter bypass - relays

[pgadler]

A couple of months ago I upgraded the alternator in my -68 Newport to a 80 amp unit. My bulkhead connectors are cleaned since before and in general the wiring is in good nick.

My ammeter is not so responsive, moving very little, only a mm and clearly not indicating correctly, but all other electrics is working fine.

I have read thru many posts about the risks with the original setup with fusable link - bulkhead connector - ammeter and the rewiring/upgrades proposed.

There is one alternative solution I haven't read, and wonder why. It is to reduce the load over the bulkhead conn. - ammeter and switches by using relays and modern fuses to the large electrical consumers as headlights, wiper motor and blower/fan.

I have already for other reasons done so to all headlights, relays behind the grill, directly fed from starter relay and the wires from instrument panel only controls the relyas (one for dipped, one for high beam). Since the current drop is substansiable in long wires, the improvement to the light flow was considerable.

A positive feed to the engine side of bulkhed with a few relays feeding blower and wipers, and the original wires thru bulkhead conn - ammeter - switches only controlling the relays.

Yes, the ammeter would not give correct reading, but that is not a prio.

Any reason why not?
Any large consumers I have overlooked?

 

[commando1]

A dedicated relay for each circuit. Is that what you're saying?

 

[pgadler]

A dedicated relay for each circuit. Is that what you're saying?

Yes. The more contemporary cars I have/have had, say from 1980s onward, have som 10-15 relays. Now, that is not in my sights, but, as said:

1 each for:
- dipped headlights (already in place)
- high beam (all four headlights) (already in place)
- wipers high/low (could probably find a twin relay)
- blower
- other potential large amp-consumer, perhaps AC-pump/magneto pulley

With main current fed directly from battery - relay - consumer, the current thru bulkhead conn. - ammeter - switches, the design risk of the ammeter should be quite reduced.

Or am I thinking wrong....?

 

[65Fury440]

You could do it that way, the KISS method always appeals to me, over adding a bunch of relays and potential problems.
I'd think your blower would be the largest current consumer, followed by the headlights.
I suppose taking those 2 items offline would be the most benefit.