From: Buzz (buzz@lanset.com)
Date: Sat Jan 15 2005 - 11:37:46 PST
Bill,
To check your alternator output, read the voltage across the batteries
with the engine running. The voltage should be at least 28V, more like
28.4 to 28.6. Each so called, 12V battery should read about half of the
total charge voltage, or 14V plus. I.E. the voltage on my car battery
with the engine running is 14.2V.
I do work in the general aviation business and they have pretty much
changed over to 14V or 28V, but the automotive market is still stuck at
12V and 24V.
Educational opportunity follows..... When you read the voltage of a
disconnected battery you are reading a no load or, "surface charge".
To get an accurate reading battery voltage should be read under load,
this can be done at a shop that is equipped with the proper test
equipment, and a KNOWLEDGEABLE, hard to find these days, technician.
BTW, you're not a moron, you are ignorant.
"Ignorance can be educated, stupid is forever"
Buzz
On Sat, 15 Jan 2005 12:45:28 -0500, you wrote:
>Just went outside and verified the following:
>
>Outside temp is at this moment 0.7 deg. C, 33.2 deg. F.
>
>I checked the batteries with digital multi-meter. No charger on either
>since running the truck yesterday. One battery showed 12.8 Volts the
other
>12.9 Volts.
>
>I started the truck without any other electrical devices operating
except
>the fuel pump. It fired right off ... whew ... <grin>.
>
>I shut it right down and checked the batteries. Both within 0.1 volts
of
>each other (I have a switch between the batteries which I turn off
between
>them while checking the batteries)
>
>Both batteries had dropped 0.4 volts. Now showing 12.4 and 12.5 volts
>respectively.
>
>AND most importantly, I woke up and checked the charging system. Mine
is an
>alternator. The bolt holes are on the firewall for the voltage
regulator
>and I now remember wondering what would have been mounted there.
>
>Again, I am not very literate with alternators. Can this be repaired
by a
>moron? If so, please advise me how I should do this. I am already
>certified as the moron who will attempt the work. If it is repairable
I
>might be able to find a shop locally, I hope, if it is beyond my
talents.
>
>Any idea right off hand what an alternator will cost?
>
>
>Thanks again, Bill K.
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