[V8] Q Re Voltage & Alternator

dsaad at icehouse.net dsaad at icehouse.net
Tue Dec 30 12:21:16 EST 2003


If it were me, I would pull the alternator and bring it to a place that 
rebuilds them. They should have a good tester - not like the one at Shucks.
A good tester can tell you max current, ripple voltage, output voltage at 
various RPMs, etc. All parameters mean something. Eg: if a diode or two is bad 
you may have 13.8 volts output at lower loads but ripple voltage will be high 
and max load will not be possible. 
By your description I would suspect worn brushes.
Best case is you replace the bearings and brushes and clean up the slip rings. 
Worst case is shorted windings or something that requires buying a whole 
rebuilt unit.

Dave


Quoting RichardMor at aol.com:

> My alternator voltage output is right around 13.0 volts at all RPM's. 
> It's 
> not enough
> to keep the battery charged fully, but after a few days, looses enough
> charge 
> to not
> start the car.  Anyone ever experience this problem?  I'd think if my 
> alternator brushes
> were worn I'd see a fluctuation in voltage with RPM.  Could this be a
> symptom 
> of a
> defective regulator?  Would appreciate any feedback.
> Thanks,
> Richard Morris
> Renton, WA
> 90 V8 Auto Dk Blue/Dk Blue
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