Snap-On Score from Craigslist

[jimkinney]

Picked up this ammeter set from a retired mechanic yesterday for $20.

Came in the original box, with the instruction sheet and an inspection sheet. The box is a little worn, but intact.

He says they work, but I haven't had a chance to check them yet. I can't even find the alternator on the BMW and the battery is in the trunk. I will have to wait for the Suburban to get home.

Jim

 

[Shiftless]

I hope you're not gonna just hook up your DC ammeter to the 2 posts of a car battery!

You need to have a load wired in series in the circuit. I would bench test that and not use a modern car.

 

[JMLangford]

Cool find.....I love vintage snap-on stuff.....

 

[jimkinney]

I hope you're not gonna just hook up your ammeter to the 2 posts of a car battery!

You need to have a load in series in the circuit. A headlight perhaps...not a starter motor.

Since these are inductive, I won't be doing that, but thanks for the warning.

I can't reach the starter switch while holding the meter to the battery cable in the trunk, and the wife's in LA. I can't find the starter either to hook up the remote starter switch. Cars from the 60's were so much easier to work on.

Jim

 

[Farmer J.]

Since these are inductive, I won't be doing that, but thanks for the warning.

I can't reach the starter switch while holding the meter to the battery cable in the trunk, and the wife's in LA. I can't find the starter either to hook up the remote starter switch. Cars from the 60's were so much easier to work on.

Jim

It's amazing the stuff people get up to whilst their wife is away...!

 

[txvwnut]

I’ve got that same set except mine has an inductive channel that sets over the wire. I used to use I quite a lot back in the day.

 

[humber2]

They won't work on AC circuits, but will work on any voltage DC with care.

The pair shown look likely to be from the time when SO had purchased Weidenhof but I suspect at heart they are Hoyt made.

 

[Oldtuleguy]

I have never used those, but they are inductive so maybe carefully move them close to some wiring and see what happens.

 

[bob from indiana]

Turn the headlight on and watch as you put the meter on the battery cable. You should see some movement of the needle. I have a set like them that I bought in the 80s. They still work well.

 

[Roberts210]

They work by induction. That is great!

 

[skrap metal]

great find, congrats.

 

[jimkinney]

Thanks for the replies. I still haven't had a chance to try them out, life keeps getting in the way. It's on the list for the weekend.