Battery voltage???
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 1,045
Likes: 3
Battery voltage???
I have a 79 with a later model 103 amp alternator. My voltage is just below the the 3/4 mark on the gauge. It's below the red but not by much. It this okay voltage or is it too high. I'm going to check with a voltage gauge it in the morning.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 1,185
Likes: 0
From: New Wilmington PA
Re: Battery voltage??? (toyvet1)
Definately check it with a meter. If it's in 15 territory it is high but I wouldn't really worry. 16 or higher and it's out of spec. "Proper" voltage is 14.7. I just recently went through similar issues with my alternator, it was reading around 16-17 for some time so one day I decided it HAD to be fixed and I bought another alternator thinking the voltage regulator must be shot. Turns out the red wire (I think it's supposed to be red, it's actually black on my car thanks to Bubba. Anyhow... the not brown wire) had been pulled out of its socket and wasn't making proper contact. Plugging it in brought me back to 14.7. The Amp rating of an alternator will not cause a high voltage condition. An alternator should only put out as much power as required, within the limits of the device. Good luck! :cheers:
[Modified by Cookwithvette, 10:34 PM 4/21/2003]
[Modified by Cookwithvette, 10:34 PM 4/21/2003]
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 1,045
Likes: 3
Re: Battery voltage??? (toyvet1)
Checked out the voltage today. Ready a steady 14.75 at idle. But the needle is jumping between 13v and 14.75v when not under a load. needle steady's out if you turn on the rear defroster or air. Any ideas..
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 3,407
Likes: 2
From: Carmichael CA
Re: Battery voltage??? (toyvet1)
The internal regulator is supposed to maintain 14.75V...13V sounds like a battery connection without a regulator...perhaps check the brown wire? Clean the contacts and see if that fixes it. If not then perhaps another regulator.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 1,185
Likes: 0
From: New Wilmington PA
Re: Battery voltage??? (toyvet1)
Rockn-Roll has it. When in doubt clean, clean, clean.
Another suggestion is RPMs. Some alternators don't put out too much at lower RPMs. I would recommend testing once again with the meter and try revving the engine. If the voltage jumps to 14 territory and stays there solidly you have no troubles at all. Good luck! :cheers:
Another suggestion is RPMs. Some alternators don't put out too much at lower RPMs. I would recommend testing once again with the meter and try revving the engine. If the voltage jumps to 14 territory and stays there solidly you have no troubles at all. Good luck! :cheers:
