Should run at 14 volts!
How many volts does your car run at?
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Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 137
Likes: 0
I was working on some projects that required keeping the power on for periods of time. I watched the voltage level slowly drop as I kept having to turn the car power on and off. I thought I would still be able to start the car afterwards to charge up, but I guess not. Is the alternator a hard change on this car?
Advanced
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 96
Likes: 0
From: Spokane Washington
I was working on some projects that required keeping the power on for periods of time. I watched the voltage level slowly drop as I kept having to turn the car power on and off. I thought I would still be able to start the car afterwards to charge up, but I guess not. Is the alternator a hard change on this car?
Drifting
Joined: Nov 1999
Posts: 1,502
Likes: 12
From: Yorktown Heights NY
No way, it only puts out what it is designed for. The alternator circuitry varies the stator field strength electronically to regulate the output voltage and amperage under various load conditions. New alternators are designed to do this....no problem unless there is a short.
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 229
Likes: 0
From: FT Lauterdale Florida
I have an 84 vette.
our alternators dont like 600 rpm.
mine only puts out like mid 12 at that speed.
700 rpm and up puts down a solid 13.5v
any rpm over 800 = a steady 14+ volts.
just for giggles before you buy a new alternator,
give your battery a FULL charge, on a good battery charger( 10amp )
and then try and start your car up,
check the voltage once its started
I just recently found out that alternators do not like to charge up exessively drained batterys. they just keep charged batterys from loosing the charge they already have.
so
apparently if you drian your battery past a certan point - it needs to be recharged by a dedicated bat charger - not the alternator.
I wonder if I could find a solar panil to mount on the dash and hook to the battery to trickle charge during the hot sunny days.
our alternators dont like 600 rpm.
mine only puts out like mid 12 at that speed.
700 rpm and up puts down a solid 13.5v
any rpm over 800 = a steady 14+ volts.
just for giggles before you buy a new alternator,
give your battery a FULL charge, on a good battery charger( 10amp )
and then try and start your car up,
check the voltage once its started
I just recently found out that alternators do not like to charge up exessively drained batterys. they just keep charged batterys from loosing the charge they already have.
so
apparently if you drian your battery past a certan point - it needs to be recharged by a dedicated bat charger - not the alternator.
I wonder if I could find a solar panil to mount on the dash and hook to the battery to trickle charge during the hot sunny days.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 1,202
Likes: 3
From: MD
84 alternators are notoriously weak. They are the dreaded 17SI series. GM took an alternator that didn't put out enough, and over-drove it with a smaller pulley to get enough juice from it. Makes it blow bearings and stuff fast, and they run hot. Check in the FAQ section on this site. There's a posting about changing to a CS series 120 amp alternator. That's what I've got in my 84 now and it's a very nice alternator. Can be found in junkyards on caddys and 90's trucks.
Racer
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 250
Likes: 1
As Brian84 alluded to, Alternators only CAN produce power if the battery has a decent charge.
The battery has to energize the coils in the alternator, in order for it to charge properly.
Charge the battery and then check what is going on.
Take care, -John
The battery has to energize the coils in the alternator, in order for it to charge properly.
Charge the battery and then check what is going on.
Take care, -John