Charging system reading 16 volts

[Arberg0]

From:jipjob  (Original Message) Sent: 12/26/2003 5:57 PM

While checking all these circuits for my charging system, I noticed that my amp meter is reading at 16 at volts, what do I replace the voltage regulator? Seems like the further I go the more trouble i get into. Going to get anew voltage regultor righ now and put in a new one. It only cost 14.99 cents and maybe this will resolve the voltage problem?



From: denison Sent: 12/26/2003 9:49 PM
Where did you measure the 16 volts? If it was across the battery, then its too high, and the VR might be at fault. But If you measured it at the dashboard, or using the voltmeter installed in the dashboard, then I think you need to make sure the wiring from the alternator back to the battery is in good condition, both the positive and the negative sides of the circuit. The metal parts of the instrument panel need to be well grounded, or you can get false readings; the battery needs to be well grounded, and so forth. Many dashboard voltmeters arent very accurate after all these years. If you started at the negtive terminal of the battery and followed the circuit, you would run into several connections, the battery cable to the frame, the frame to the engine block or tranny, the engine block to the alternator bracket, to the case of the alternator, each of which could be rusty and allowing some potential drop -voltage- across it. The positive side of the circuit has even more junctions and connections. If you put on a new VR and see the same voltage level, i.e. above 15 volts, you can begin looking for dirty connections, and check that voltmeter with a VOM. The voltmeter on my dashboard reads almost 15 volts when the engine is running, until I turn on my headlights. Then it drops to about 14. But the voltage at the battery terminals is about 13.75 to 14 volts, headlights on or off. Partly this is the difference between the digital VOM I use to measure the voltage across the battery and the original voltmeter on the dashboard - which might easily be off by a volt either way. And partly it is the differences you encounter measuring the voltage in different places around the 12 volt circuit. denison