Alternator charge voltage
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 340
Likes: 0
From: Dublin
Alternator charge voltage
Hi
My alternator failed so I bought a rebuild kit and rebuilt it, When I re-installed it the voltage at the battery read 17+ volts
The battery was completely dead, would this high a voltage be normal?
My alternator failed so I bought a rebuild kit and rebuilt it, When I re-installed it the voltage at the battery read 17+ volts
The battery was completely dead, would this high a voltage be normal?
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,118
From: Crossville TN
You should check that voltage with a regular voltmeter. The dash gauge is not that accurate. Normal max. voltage from the alternator will be about 14.5 volts, if the battery is significantly discharged.
If it really measures 17 volts, something is wrong with the voltage regulator inside the alternator....unless you have a '68 car with an external voltage regulator. In that case, your regulator needs to be adjusted or replaced.
If it really measures 17 volts, something is wrong with the voltage regulator inside the alternator....unless you have a '68 car with an external voltage regulator. In that case, your regulator needs to be adjusted or replaced.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 340
Likes: 0
From: Dublin
when I checked the voltage it was at the battery with a volt meter.
Should I contact the vendor I purchased the rebuild kit form.
Would I do any damage if I were to drive the car a couple of hundred miles?
Should I contact the vendor I purchased the rebuild kit form.
Would I do any damage if I were to drive the car a couple of hundred miles?
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,118
From: Crossville TN
At that voltage, you might do some internal damage to your battery or cause it to 'boil over'. If the voltage was limited to the usual 14.5v, you would probably not do any damage to the battery over a couple hundred miles.
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 12,142
Likes: 54
From: Taylor Michigan
at 17 there is also a possibilty of blowing the lights out and any 12 volt accessories
