Alternator Question
#1
Boosted 7
Thread Starter
Alternator Question
I just installed a new alternator, and whenever i fist stanrt the car, to an idle, the volt gauge only reads 12 volts(just running off the battery i suppose) then when i rev it up a bit, to say about 3-3.5 the volts jump from 12 to about 13.8. and it stays this way when it returns to idle. This never happened with my old alternator, i also just put in a new battery aswell. I have also tried tightening and losening the belt. And clues?
Thanks alot, Matt
Thanks alot, Matt
#3
Matt, this is normal operation for all good working alternators. There is some good explanation for why this is, I have seen it on the internet, but suffice it to say, this is how all good working alternators operate.
Joe
Joe
#4
aheadau
If you are going by the dash gauge, don't, it could be wrong. Use a "real" meter and check at the battery. Check the voltage with the car "off" (to see what the battery has), then start the car and check again (it should be higher if charging). The battery should read about 12.6 volts if fully charged. If it does, then it should read at least 13.2 volts when running, at idle, with no accesories on. If the battery is not fully charged then the "charging voltage" may be less, but it should still increase over the "off" voltage. Without lights or accessories on, it should still be charging at "idle".
#5
Seven Is Coming
iTrader: (1)
Re: Alternator Question
Originally posted by Matty's first 1st Gen
I just installed a new alternator, and whenever i fist stanrt the car, to an idle, the volt gauge only reads 12 volts(just running off the battery i suppose) then when i rev it up a bit, to say about 3-3.5 the volts jump from 12 to about 13.8. and it stays this way when it returns to idle. This never happened with my old alternator, i also just put in a new battery aswell. I have also tried tightening and losening the belt. And clues?
Thanks alot, Matt
I just installed a new alternator, and whenever i fist stanrt the car, to an idle, the volt gauge only reads 12 volts(just running off the battery i suppose) then when i rev it up a bit, to say about 3-3.5 the volts jump from 12 to about 13.8. and it stays this way when it returns to idle. This never happened with my old alternator, i also just put in a new battery aswell. I have also tried tightening and losening the belt. And clues?
Thanks alot, Matt
~T.J.
#6
The Rotorheaded Geek
iTrader: (1)
Join Date: Mar 2002
Location: exit 8 in Manchester, NH
Posts: 920
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
It is because the old altinators on our cars are not governed, at idle they produce less then at higher RPM. A newer altinator has a governing circuit allowing it to produce the same amps and all all thru the RPM range.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
Nosferatu
2nd Generation Specific (1986-1992)
7
09-05-15 02:13 PM