Diyvehiclerepair
- What should the voltage be with alternator running?
- What causes an alternator to put out low voltage?
- How many volts should alternator put out at idle?
- Is 14.8 volts too high for alternator?
- How do I get more voltage from my alternator?
- How many volts should a 12v alternator put out?
- Can a bad ground cause low voltage?
- What controls the voltage output of the alternator?
- What are the signs of a bad stator?
- Where is the voltage regulator installed?
- What can an overcharging alternator do?
- What is a good alternator reading?
What should the voltage be with alternator running?
A good alternator should maintain battery voltage between 13.9 and 14.8 volts (14.2 is optimum).
What causes an alternator to put out low voltage?
Poor ground connections are an often-overlooked cause of low charging output and alternator failure. Voltage drops on the positive side of the charging circuit can cause undercharging. Voltage drops on the negative side can cause overcharging.
How many volts should alternator put out at idle?
An alternator should put out between 13.5 and 15 volts of power. The alternator should be tested with the engine idling and electrical accessories, such as the radio and headlights, turned off.
Is 14.8 volts too high for alternator?
To fully charge in reasonable times, alternator output must be 14.2 V to 14.5 V as measured right across the battery posts. ... 14.8 would start to be a worry (there might be liquid or corrosion on the battery) and 15 volts would be a real concern, but 14.6 is fine. Less than 14.3 would be a "weak" alternator or regulator.
How do I get more voltage from my alternator?
Selecting different sized diodes can alter the output regulation of the alternator. A smaller diode will increase the charge voltage by more than a larger diode (due to the voltage drop varying with the diode current).
How many volts should a 12v alternator put out?
A good alternator should put out between **13.5-14.5 volts. Stress test the alternator - Place a load on the alternator by turning on the headlights, the radio and the air conditioning. The voltage should remain high with these circuits on.
Can a bad ground cause low voltage?
Poor computer and/or sensor grounds can cause higher-than-normal sensor voltages and false trouble codes. In many cases, the bad ground prevents the computer or sensor from pulling a voltage signal down to or near ground zero.
What controls the voltage output of the alternator?
A VOLTAGE REGULATOR regulates the charging voltage that the alternator produces, keeping it between 13.5 and 14.5 volts to protect the electrical components throughout the vehicle. There is also a system to warn the driver if something is not right with the charging system.
What are the signs of a bad stator?
The most obvious symptoms of a bad motorcycle stator include no spark, weak spark, or intermittent spark (also known as misfiring). Hard starts and a poorly running engine can also be clues that your stator needs to be rebuilt or replaced.
Where is the voltage regulator installed?
The regulator can be mounted inside or outside of the housing. A wiring harness will connect the regulator to the alternator if it is mounted outside. The alternator's field current is controlled by the voltage regulator.
What can an overcharging alternator do?
Alternators that overcharge will typically produce excess voltage to the battery, making the battery case swell up, become very hot and lose its electrolyte through boiling. Improperly jump-starting the vehicle can send a surge through the battery that destroys one or more cells in the battery or shorts it out.
What is a good alternator reading?
A good alternator should produce about 13.5 to 14.5 volts with the engine idling. If the voltage reading is low (12.5 volts or less), it indicates a charging problem but does not tell you what's causing it.
