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A 24-volt battery and a generator supply power for the propeller, fuel gage, hydraulic system, starter, radio equipment, needle and ball (if electric), guns, and gunsight, and all instrument, landing, and navigation lights.
The ammeter is to the left of or below the circuit breaker switches and ranges from 0 to 150 amps. After flying for a while, & ammeter should normally charge about 10 amps. When you are moving wheels or flaps up or down, it indicates from 40 to 75 amps, depending on the charge in the battery.
If the ammeter shows no current during flight, or if it continues to charge 50 amps or more, for more than 15 minutes after takeoff, the generator has failed. Follow this procedure:
1. Place the propeller switch in FIXED PITCH.
2. Cut all electrical switches.
3. Return to your field immediately for a landing. Extend your landing gear and flaps with the hand hydraulic pump. This conserves battery power needed for governing the propeller. It takes 175 to 200 strokes on the hand pump to extend the landing gear.
Early models of the P-40 N have a red popout type generator re-set button beneath the throttle quadrant. This button pops out when. a generator overload breaks the connection between generator and battery. To re-set the generator, push the button in. Don't hold it in if it is trying to pop out. Push it in and take your hand off. If it persists in popping out, cut off the generator switch and return to the field and land.
