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    Amps are a measure of current flow not resistance.  Power is the 
product of current multiplied by voltage and is typically expressed 
eletrically in watts.

    A starter can draw from 100-300 amps during cranking.  Immediately 
after starting a working ammeter will usually show 20-30 +amps meaning 
that the altenator is replacing the energy used from the battery the was 
used to start the car.    If the car's battery is in decent condition 
the ammeter will trail off to 0-2 amps over the next 30 secs to a 
minute.  If the battery is old and weak the charge rate will stay a 
little higher.  When running as accessories are turned on and off the 
ammeter typically will deflect a few amps while the regulator adjusts 
the altenator output to match the accessory draw.  The car runs off of 
the altenator when the engine is running.  The battery is just along for 
a recharge to prepare it for the next start or current draw higher than 
the altenator is capable of supplying (not very likely in today's cars). 
   
     The ammeter in my 82 moves substantially depending on conditions. 
 If I turn on the headlights with the engine off, it will read 20-25 
-amps.  If I have not started it in a while or I have had lights or the 
radio on for a while with the engine off, it will read 20 +amps for 
several minutes while the battery recharges.  The gauge is much more 
than a "conversation piece" but you have to know what you are looking at 
to interpret the information it is providing you.  If an ammeter is not 
moving ever and the car is running properly, keeping it's battery 
charged, there is something wrong with the gauge or the circuit it is 
wired into.

    The proliferation of voltage gauges in cars today is the result of 
people not knowing what the ammeter was telling them-a voltage gauge is 
little more than an "idiot light" but it looks cooler and they can put 
red zones on it that mean something.  A working ammeter lets you know a 
lot about your car's electrical system, the condition of the battery, 
and the condition of the altenator.  A voltage gauge lets you know there 
is something wrong but it is almost useless in letting you know what is 
going wrong.

                                                                        
                chuck
                                                                        
                RQB-3553
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