Charging Question
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 45
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From: Spencerport New York
Charging Question
Battery checks out good. Alt. is good, the test says to check wire. Question is what wire. Only putting out 11.9 volts any special wire to check anyone have this type of problem? Tess is a 87(a teenager).Thanks
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 54,124
Likes: 30
From: Cincinnati, Oh USA
Re: Charging Question (Tony DeRosa)
Thats a good question! I would check the resistance from the battery + post to the big red wire on the alternator. This wire has a fusible link in it and if it is open circuit, then the alternator will not charge the battery. The resistance should be very low, like 0.1 ohms or less. Most ohmeters cannot measure a resistance this low, but if it shows the same resistance as when the test leads are touched together, then it is ok. An alternator that only puts out 11.9 volts is not ok unless it is current limited . The regulator limits the alternator output current to its rating, 105 amps, and it does this by reducing the output voltage. If your electrical circuit is drawing 100 amps all the time , then something is seriously wrong and you need to find out where the current is going. Measure the alternator current in the red lead on the alternator output.
