Pros and Cons - Amp vs Volt meter?

Pantera ammeters are famous for loose connections and subsequent arcing and failure. Fire is not out of the question. Looks like you dodged a bullet for 10 years. A properly installed ammeter is not a dangerous meter and would behave as you expected .....  as long as the connections remain tight. 😉

 With differing justification owners select the ammeter or a voltmeter. Personally, my intent is to have neither and instead install an oil temperature gauge.

 Neither...... you ask?

 In my experience electrical problems in an automobile display themselves quite clearly -  as long as the early symptoms of failure have been previously experienced and are recognized - and do not need a gauge to announce their presence.

 EBay is littered with voltmeters designed for cigarette lighter receptacles. Toss one in the glove box for troubleshooting when needed or buy one with USB ports for convenience.

Larry

Gauges are information devices; the Pantera wiring routs 100% of the alternator output thru the ammeter gauge. Which, in a 60 degree swing gauge, causes the needle to move wildly with small changes in rpm, alt. outputs and other things and tells one nothing beyond that the alternator has an output. Many owners slightly modify their wiring by connecting a 'shunt' directly across the amp gauge terminals while leaving all the stock wiring in place. This provides a parallel electrical path so needle swings are far smaller and more controlled. Output amperage is directly proportional to the surface area of the shunt vs the stock wiring.  My shunt is a 3/8" wide shrink-wrapped strip of brass across the gauge terminals. Functional since 1980.

bosswrench posted:

...the Pantera wiring routs 100% of the alternator output thru the ammeter gauge...

the amp meter is 100% of the "battery charging" current from the alternator.

If you decide to switch to a volt meter, Hall Pantera sells this:

Happy New Year.

All,

Thank you kindly for the assistance.  

Thanks for pointing out the Volt meter from Hall George, I ordered one while I sort out where to find a new amp gauge to keep in parts box for originality.  It's interesting that my father's 1972 GTS never had any electrical problems, he owned it from new for 30+ years before parting with it.  No issues on electrical parts or work for it, was eventually cosmetically and mechanically reconditioned at the factory in 1986 including the brembo brakes upgrade but no electrical needs were found or recorded in the receipts.  I wonder if a shunt as described in Boss post was in place, makes complete sense!  Thanks for the feedback.