Alternator Question
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 3,032
Likes: 4
Alternator Question
My alternator usually hangs between 13.9 (idle) and 14.5 (cruising)... But once in a while it jumps to around 17 (?!). I've been told a few things that may cause this, but what are your guesses?
Alot of things can make the voltage drop, but only the regulator can make it rise that high. 
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 54,124
Likes: 30
From: Cincinnati, Oh USA
The voltage regulator causes this and since it shows up randomly, how would you show anyone that it does this? Just replace it, or replace the alternator. 17 volts can damage the MOV (metal oxide varistor) on the piggyback switching supply on one of the cluster circuit boards. Its job is to turn on and blow the fuse if the input voltage goes too high.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 3,032
Likes: 4
Originally Posted by jfb
The voltage regulator causes this and since it shows up randomly, how would you show anyone that it does this? Just replace it, or replace the alternator. 17 volts can damage the MOV (metal oxide varistor) on the piggyback switching supply on one of the cluster circuit boards. Its job is to turn on and blow the fuse if the input voltage goes too high.
