Gilbert Amp meter gauge

I have an American Flyer transformer with a bad gauge too.

Port lines Hobbies sells a replacement voltmeter that will fit, but it does not match the original. And I don't think they offer an ammeter.

A while ago, I read that someone was either going to publish repair instructions or offer a repair service for the meters. I lost track of whomever was planning to do something.

I think I would just bypass the ammeter if you want to use the transformer.

It seems that American Flyer parts are much more difficult to obtain than Lionel.

The ammeter on a 19B is wired in series with the variable voltage control. All the current to the track passes through it. Since there was a short when connected to the base post it indicates the meter winding was good prior to the short. If the winding has continuity and the needle will move freely then it will work. Put a known good engine on the track to test it. A Gilbert engine will indicate between one and 4 amps at 12V depending on which engine is used. You could use an 18V bulb as a test but the current draw is so low it is hard to see the needle move. The ammeters on my two 19B's are relatively accurate but nothing like a test meter.

You could always smake your own volt-amp gauge set up like I did and it works great.  Pictures available on request...

Marty

I have taken the volt gauge apart and repaired a wire and not it will work......amp meter gauge was disassembled and put back together..it has a problem because it will work correctly and then  instead of moving to the right it moves to left...I wonder if that little mag.strip behind the pointer might be loose and spinning causing this problem????????

Jackie

See:  http://www.tranz4mr.com/AF_30B.html

Shown is a voltmeter repair on a 30b. I realize the ammeter will be a different animal. Good luck!  There is also someone on eBay selling aftermarket analog voltmeters that fit and replace the original Gilbert voltmeter complete with instructions in a kit form. These have square faces however not round. You can also buy the gauges independently. Just do a search on 0-15 volt or 0-25 volt voltmeters. Likewise search for ammeters but most use an inductive coil rather than measure current directly. Most are digital readouts and it will be a challenge getting everything to fit. All of the aftermarket gages I have seen are from China for what that's worth.