Not exactly sure what the argument is here, we know that an ammeter "can" be the cause of a potentially catastrophic event (aka fire) and we also know that not every car will experience this but some will (statistically). Sure you can take steps to minimize the possibility but the question then becomes "why", for originality sake? If thats the case, go on and run an ammeter but for most everyone else why would you risk it when you don't have to.
This is like refusing to carry a fire extinguisher in the car because you are "sure" it will never catch fire when you know that its always a possibility (for a whole host of reasons). The purpose of either gauge is to provide the driver/owner with an "indication" of the health of the charging system. Perhaps an ammeter is somewhat of a better gauge but to what end?
There is a reason that the industry stopped using them but if you want the originality of it, go ahead (and carry a fire extinguisher regardless).
Not exactly sure what argument you refer to. No, “we” don’t all know these passenger car ammeters “can”, or will, for no reason whatsoever, be the cause of a fire. Loose ammeter stud nuts, failed insulators, high aftermarket loads incorrectly connected at the battery, lack of maintenance, abuse at the ammeter terminal connections likely have led to enough resistance and heat build up to burn things. On that, I must take the word of others, in my experience dating back to my time at the dealers, wrenched on many Chrysler vehicles then and now, never saw the “spontaneous combustion” of one these passenger car ammeters. There are other issues in the stock charging system that have caused problems since day one.
There is nothing within “the workings of the ammeter”, in good condition, good connections, when operating within its design limits, can “cause” heat build-up, simple stout brass bus. There are no heat generating internal shunts or shunt resistors.
Statistically? Statistically, wheels fall off cars every day because someone didn’t torque the lug nuts, do you blame the wheel? Tires blow out every day because air pressures are not maintained or their design loads have been exceeded, blame the tire? And vehicle electrical fires happen every day caused by poorly maintained or abused electrical systems, totally unrelated to 50+ year old cars, ammeter or not.
Even now, any serious real-time monitoring of DC circuits in any kind of vehicle, includes the use of ammeters in some form. Monitoring the charging system health in real-time with a voltmeter alone, provides little more info than an idiot lamp.
I carry fire extinguishers in all my cars as well, not because I fear my electrical systems. I know and understand the current state of my electrical systems inside and out, ammeter and all. More concerned with the failure of some pressurized fuel handling component, i.e., a failed needle and seat.
The primary reason for any automotive production change is unit cost period. If you imply that the move away from passenger car ammeters back then was for any other reason, you would be mistaken.
For those not seeing the inaccurate facts stated that article, I’ve highlighted a few of the more blatant factually inaccurate statements in that one paragraph posted above.
