Alternator overloading battery
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 44
Likes: 1
From: Spangle (near Spokane) Washington
St. Jude Donor '09
Alternator overloading battery
I just installed a new starter, works perfect. After starter install my new alternator, installed a couple weeks ago and has been working fine, started putting out just under 17 volts. Just a coincidence or could there be something else? Thanks in advance.
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,118
From: Crossville TN
If the voltage at the battery is much lower, there is a bad connection or ground somewhere in that circuit. If voltage at the battery is the same, your regulator in the alternator is bad.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 7,453
Likes: 976
From: RI, Now Franklin/Nashville TN
About 15 years ago I installed a new OEM type 120 amp alternator in place of the stock 63 amp alternator and when I start the car after it has been sitting for a while, the gauge reads just short of the red zone, about 17 volts at the battery (tested with a volt meter to verify the gauge is correct). After a bit of running, the gauge and the battery show about 14.5 volts. All the wiring is original. The battery is a Costco/Kirkland and has been in the car for 11 years and still going strong ( I started and drove it yesterday). I have never had a problem with a dead battery or overcharging, boiling over). If the gauge and actual battery voltage comes down to these levels after a showing 17 volts when voltage is required for charging, I would leave it alone.
Last edited by jb78L-82; Mar 22, 2009 at 07:12 AM.
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 44
Likes: 1
From: Spangle (near Spokane) Washington
St. Jude Donor '09
High voltage update
Good morning, I checked it again this morning and I am getting 17.45 volts on a digital volt meter at the alternator and battery. Sounds like another trip to the parts store.
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