Alternator Failure Record!

B

BOB340

Registered
My car has 96,000 miles with a new battery and I wanted to see how the alternator was holding up. It cranked out 13.3 volts. I believe that is a little low, and I did'nt want to ruin my battery. So like a complete idiot I bought a rebuilt one, knowing that everybody on this board said not to ever buy a rebuilt alternator. I spent $140.00 bucks
It lasted 15 miles!!!!!! Unbelievable!!! Battery light came on, then the message center said "Check Charging System"
Alternator was defective, recieved full refund. Put old one back in.
Everything is fine.

What should these alternators put out? 14.5 volts?? Is 13.3 good enough?



98 Toreador LSC
98 Expedition
 
RE: Alternator Failure Record!

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... What should these alternators put out? 14.5 volts?? Is 13.3 good enough?
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From another post...

Testing your charging system quickly with a digital voltmeter (assuming charged battery):

1. Test battery voltage with engine off. Check at battery terminals at clean terminal or clamp, not the bolt or nut. Record voltage. This is your battery's standing voltage.

2. Start engine & run at 1500 RPM. With no other load (doors closed? Underhood light off? Auto headlights off?) - record voltage. Voltage should be higher but not by more than 2 volts. This is your charging voltage without load.

3. Turn on heater or AC to MAX along with turning on highbeam headlamps. Increase RPMs to 2000 RPM. Voltage should be a minimum of 0.5 volts above your standing battery voltage. This is your charging voltage with load.
 
RE: Alternator Failure Record!

I have a $70 or $80 digital volt meter that I thought was super accurate. When the meter battery went, I was checking 18 volts on my battery. So, my point is, I don't know if you can trust any volt meter. I always heard with the car running, you need 13.5 to 14.5 volts. Less than that your battery may go dead.
I liked the old mechanical voltage regulators. If your voltage dropped, you could adjust the regulator to bring it back up.

Roadie
95 Champagne Mark VIII
00 Ford F150 Supercab 4x4
02 Mazda Protege
86 Chevy Monte Carlo SS
81 Honda CB900C
 
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