C3 Tech/Performance V8 Technical Info, Internal Engine, External Engine, Basic Tech and Maintenance for the C3 Corvette
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

Volt meter

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Dec 22, 2023 | 05:16 PM
  #21  
4-vettes's Avatar
4-vettes
Race Director
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Top Answer: 1
 
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 13,335
Likes: 7,906
From: Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Australia
2025 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2024 C3 of the Year Finalist- Modified
2022 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
Cruise-In VIII Veteran
Default

Good to hear your charging system is good now. That was more important than your amp meter. Hopefully the overcharging old alternator didn't damage your new amp meter.
if I were you I would swap it out for a volt gauge. Only a minor rewire.
Reply
Old Dec 22, 2023 | 05:42 PM
  #22  
interpon's Avatar
interpon
Le Mans Master
Supporting Member
All Eyes On Me
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Jun 2019
Posts: 7,680
Likes: 2,482
From: Indiana
Default

I am not sure it is over charging.
my 79 hits 15.4 volts with no issues measured with fluke and surprisingly accurate on my volt meter a hair below red which I’m pretty sure is 15.5 volts.
just replaced battery at 6 years water level fine. Original alternator.
below @bmotojoe 77 manual posted prior.

i wouldn’t toss old alternator if original..the new chinesium rebuilds are terrible and draw hp compared to original in my experience.


Reply
Old Dec 22, 2023 | 08:31 PM
  #23  
4-vettes's Avatar
4-vettes
Race Director
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Top Answer: 1
 
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 13,335
Likes: 7,906
From: Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Australia
2025 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2024 C3 of the Year Finalist- Modified
2022 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
Cruise-In VIII Veteran
Default

First off, Tuff Stuff and others supply USA made and or rebuilt alternators.
And I am absolutely certain that anything over 14.5 volts is DEFINITELY over charging. This is hard on your battery and can also blow bulbs throughout the vehicle.
If you have any doubts about this I suggest you read a service manual.
Reply
Old Dec 23, 2023 | 02:20 AM
  #24  
DaveHarbinson's Avatar
DaveHarbinson
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
 
Joined: Sep 2023
Posts: 15
Likes: 4
Default

Hi
I am definitely up for swapping it to a voltmeter I’m guessing I would need to wire it up to the Charing circuit rather than go straight off the battery ?

Dave
Reply
Old Dec 23, 2023 | 03:23 AM
  #25  
4-vettes's Avatar
4-vettes
Race Director
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Top Answer: 1
 
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 13,335
Likes: 7,906
From: Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Australia
2025 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2024 C3 of the Year Finalist- Modified
2022 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
Cruise-In VIII Veteran
Default

You can pull off any 12 volt power line. You have 12v. Going to other gauges. And then you just need a ground wire. That's it.
As stated earlier, go to "madelectrical" s Web site. Read there tech pages on Alternators and the different types and how to wire them properly. They have a wealth of information.
Reply
Old Dec 23, 2023 | 12:13 PM
  #26  
interpon's Avatar
interpon
Le Mans Master
Supporting Member
All Eyes On Me
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Jun 2019
Posts: 7,680
Likes: 2,482
From: Indiana
Default

Originally Posted by 4-vettes
First off, Tuff Stuff and others supply USA made and or rebuilt alternators.
And I am absolutely certain that anything over 14.5 volts is DEFINITELY over charging. This is hard on your battery and can also blow bulbs throughout the vehicle.
If you have any doubts about this I suggest you read a service manual.
i said chinesium rebuilds..not the ones you mentioned USA , specifically ac delco rockauto.
i suggested to op to not toss the old one if original bases on my experience.
my alternator puts out up to 15.5 volts at idle low draw.. it drops under load.
I never had a boiling or lack of water in my battery that lasted 6 years.
the pic i posted is from 77 passenger car service manual posted in thread below. There s zero voltage at alternator information n my 79 service manual

post 114 and 115 shows video of identical load on engine comparing oem to chinesium rebuilt ac delco…fyi the ac delco was 14.8v .06 less than my oem one.

too bad many do not test load on various alternators..would be interesting 🧐
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...uestion-6.html

Last edited by interpon; Dec 23, 2023 at 12:56 PM.
Reply
Old Dec 24, 2023 | 11:39 AM
  #27  
DaveHarbinson's Avatar
DaveHarbinson
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
 
Joined: Sep 2023
Posts: 15
Likes: 4
Default

Hi All

Thank you for all off the help, the ammeter is now working as it should I purchased a wiring diagram for my 76 and managed to find the faulty wire in question, I now have 12v on either terminal, it was the orange red wire that is in the photo that had melted apart causing the fault

once again thank you for all help offered Hope you all have a good Christmas and happy new year

Dave

Reply
Old Dec 24, 2023 | 04:57 PM
  #28  
4-vettes's Avatar
4-vettes
Race Director
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Top Answer: 1
 
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 13,335
Likes: 7,906
From: Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Australia
2025 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2024 C3 of the Year Finalist- Modified
2022 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
Cruise-In VIII Veteran
Default

Good to hear all is repaired! Merry Christmas Dave.
Reply
Corvette Stories

The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts

story-0

10 Corvettes to Drive Before You Die!

 Joe Kucinski
story-1

Corvette & Porsche 911: How Two Icons Conquered the Last 25 Years

 Joe Kucinski
story-2

2027 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 First Look: Everything You NEED to Know!

 Michael S. Palmer
story-3

5 Best & 5 Worst Corvette Daily Drivers

 Joe Kucinski
story-4

The Headlights of Every Corvette Generation Explained

 Joe Kucinski
story-5

5 Best & 5 Most Overrated Corvette Track Packages of All Time!

 Joe Kucinski
story-6

Every 2027 Corvette Engine Explained

 Joe Kucinski
story-7

Designer Imagines A Corvette That Looks More Like a Corvette Than the Corvette

 Verdad Gallardo
story-8

10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love

 Joe Kucinski
story-9

Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer

 Brett Foote




All times are GMT -4. The time now is 01:55 PM.

story-0
10 Corvettes to Drive Before You Die!

Slideshow: 10 Corvettes to drive before you die.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-23 08:31:12


VIEW MORE
story-1
Corvette & Porsche 911: How Two Icons Conquered the Last 25 Years

Slideshow: Corvette and Porsche 911, how two icons conquered the last 25 years.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-23 08:18:33


VIEW MORE
story-2
2027 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 First Look: Everything You NEED to Know!

Slideshow: Is the 2027 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 the best Silverado yet?

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-06-16 08:01:12


VIEW MORE
story-3
5 Best & 5 Worst Corvette Daily Drivers

Slideshow: 5 best and 5 worst Corvette daily drivers

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-15 10:32:13


VIEW MORE
story-4
The Headlights of Every Corvette Generation Explained

Slideshow: The headlights of every Corvette generation explained

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-15 10:17:14


VIEW MORE
story-5
5 Best & 5 Most Overrated Corvette Track Packages of All Time!

Slideshow: The 5 best and 5 most overrated Corvette track packages ever.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-09 12:46:45


VIEW MORE
story-6
Every 2027 Corvette Engine Explained

Slideshow: Every 2027 Corvette engine explained

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-09 12:16:31


VIEW MORE
story-7
Designer Imagines A Corvette That Looks More Like a Corvette Than the Corvette

Slideshow: A Jaguar designer's personal project imagines what a modern front-engined Corvette might look like if Chevrolet revisited the golden age of the Stingray.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-06-08 19:53:43


VIEW MORE
story-8
10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love

Slideshow: 10 ugly Corvettes that we still kinda love.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-03 10:34:17


VIEW MORE
story-9
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer

A lot of money has changed hands at the online auction house over the years.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-03 10:21:50


VIEW MORE