HI everyone. I have a question about my charging system is a 86 base model 7. When i drive at nite and turn the high beem on and the window heater on my it seems to bring my voltage meter down by alittle. Is that normal?? I hook a voltage meter on it and it did show a little drop on voltage with all power on is that normal. (Power drop from 14V to 13.8 at the alternator. Power drop form 13.8 - 13.4) I am thinking my power cable is a little old i might just change it. So yeah i just want to know if the numbers look right or if my charging system is going. Note:ground straps is kind of busten but shows no 0oms. I am going to change the grounds and alternator cable is there any thing else i should check? And yeah i know my writing is confusing......

 

um....what do you think powers those things??? Maybe the charging system? It's not infinite...

 

that's still pretty good. if it droped below 12.5 I'd be worried.

 

Some one told me once that my charging system was fired because it was making 14.3 volts at idle...

 

 

ummmm..."Fried"...not "fired"...he tried to tell me my **** was shot because his car didn't see above 12v...

 

Wow kick *** you guys are replying so damn fast!! I am touched Well Makenzie71 i was just thinking that since all the stuff on the car is stock stuff that i should hold the voltage thats all. I also thought the voltage regulator would compensate for the extra drain. But again thank for the quick replys!!

 

As long as it doesn't go higher than 15.0VDC, you're fine.
If the voltage drops under 12.0VDC, then the alternator is not charging the battery.
If the voltage drops under 10.0VDC, you're screwed.


-Ted

 

Don't detest a diehard I drove thirty miles home without an alternator belt. WITH the lights on (around 2am.)

 

The charging system seems kind of weak thats why i got all crazy. OR maybe i am crazy to start with what ever. But thanks for all the good ideas and reply. Hey Kenteth didn't you dad "test driver" your car and your lense felt out??

 

When you put electrical load on alt at idle, the voltage will drop. It's normal. When you rev engine, the voltage should go back up. If it does not go back up, you have a problem.

In any case, as long as the charging warning light does not come on, you should be fine. If the warning light come on (even dimly), it means the battery is taking over voltage wise and is draining fast especially at night.

Hugues -