Measuring Amps

[Grumpy]

Hello;
Ben away for a bit but back at it again. I purchased a (crappy/cheap) serpentine kit for my 57 chevy. Included was a bright new alternator which came with the wrong pulley (v Belt) but supplied in the kit was a serpentine pulley. When I went to the alternator shop (yeah I got one near my house) the guy changed my pulley but said that the alternator was "nothing coming close" to 135 amps! (advertised output of the alternator) Of course the shop told me they could make it the right output amps for about $150!!
So now I am in quest of how I can test this alternator to see just what it is putting out.
I have an old Craftsman Digital but don't know how to set it to measure amps!. (or should I just pull the darn thing and take it to a parts store for testing?
If someone knows just how to do this I would appreciate any helpful suggestions!

Bruce

youll need a MULTI METER and certainly having an amp meter is useful
you don,t know if the guys B.S. ing you too get the job and make some cash or your
getting good advice ???
having a few meters to test with and a knowledge of how to test certainly helps
doing some research, into testing certainly would be helpful

http://www.harborfreight.com/5-in-1-dig ... 98674.html

https://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200319015_200319015?utm_source=CSE&utm_medium=Shopzilla&utm_campaign=Construction > Thermometers&utm_content=163917&szredirectid=15617344209854040872810090302008005

https://www.fluke-direct.com/product/fluke-323-true-rms-clamp-meter

http://garage.grumpysperformance.co...e-wire-alternator-no-output.14514/#post-76095

http://garage.grumpysperformance.com/index.php?threads/battery-or-alternator.10003/#post-38749

http://garage.grumpysperformance.co...rical-glitches-in-newer-cars.5492/#post-50908

http://garage.grumpysperformance.com/index.php?threads/testing-an-alternator.3222/#post-8575

https://www.wikihow.com/Check-an-Alternator

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-check-a-car-alternator

https://www.howacarworks.com/electrical-systems/testing-an-alternator-and-checking-output

 

[Grumpy]

https://www.electronics-notes.com/articles/test-methods/meters/how-to-measure-current.php

http://www.csgnetwork.com/ohmslaw2.html

http://www.csgnetwork.com/parallelresistcalc.html

http://garage.grumpysperformance.co...-calculators-and-basic-math.10705/#post-72061

https://www.rapidtables.com/calc/electric/watt-volt-amp-calculator.html

https://www.rapidtables.com/calc/electric/watt-volt-amp-calculator.html


How to measure current with an analogue multimeter
It is quite easy to use an analogue meter to measure electrical current. There are a few minor differences in way that current measurements are made, but the same basic principles are used.

... analogue multimeters are also able to measure current easily and accurately....
When using the analogue multimeter it is possible to follow a number of simple steps:

1. Insert the probes into the correct connections - this is required because there may be a number of different connections that can be used. Be sure to get the right connections as there may be separate connections for very low or very high current ranges.
2. Set switch to the correct measurement type (i.e. to measure current) and range for the measurement to be made. When selecting the range, ensure that the maximum for the particular range chosen is above that anticipated. The range on the multimeter can be reduced later if necessary. However by selecting a range that is too high, it prevents the meter being overloaded and any possible damage to the movement of the meter itself.
3. When taking the reading, optimise the range for the best reading. If possible adjust it so that the maximum deflection of the meter can be gained. In this way the most accurate reading will be gained.
4. Once the reading is complete, it is a wise precaution to place the probes into the voltage measurement sockets and turn the range to maximum voltage position. In this way if the meter is accidentally connected without thought for the range to be used, there is little chance of damage to the meter. This may not be true if it left set for a current reading, and the meter is accidentally connected across a high voltage point!

How to measure current with a digital multimeter
To measure current with a digital multimeter it is possible to follow a few simple steps:

1. Turn the meter on
2. Insert the probes into the correct connections - in many meters there are a number of different connections for the probes. Often one labelled common into which the black probe is normally placed. The other probe should be entered into the correct socket for the current measurement to be made. Sometimes there is a special connection for current measurements, and sometimes a separate one for either low or high current measurements. Select the correct one for the current measurement to be made.
3. Set main selector switch on the meter switch to the correct measurement type, (i.e. current) and range for the measurement to be made. When selecting the range, ensure that the maximum range is above the expected reading anticipated. The range on the DMM can then be reduced as necessary. However by selecting a range that is too high, it prevents the meter being overloaded.
4. When the measuring the current, optimise the range for the best reading. If possible enable all the leading digits to not read zero, and in this way the greatest number of significant digits can be read.
5. Once the reading is complete, it is a wise precaution to place the probes into the voltage measurement sockets and turn the range to maximum voltage. In this way if the meter is accidentally connected without thought for the range used, there is little chance of damage to the meter. This may not be true if it left set for a current reading, and the meter is accidentally connected across a high voltage point!

Following these steps it is very easy to measure current using any digital multimeter.