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#99891 03/15/2007 4:45 PM | Joined: Jul 2006 Posts: 482 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Jul 2006 Posts: 482 | This is a follow up on the case of the drooling battery. I bought a multimeter and as far as I can tell, the alternator is putting out exactly 14 volts and continues at this rate after some time. Dumb question; shouldn't the internal regulator cause the charging rate to go down after a few minutes of topping off the battery following start up if the battery is good? | | |
#99892 03/15/2007 5:03 PM | Joined: Feb 2002 Posts: 12,029 Cruising in the Passing Lane | | Cruising in the Passing Lane Joined: Feb 2002 Posts: 12,029 | the internal regulator should regulate the charge depending on the condition of the battery - I suspected on the 'drooling' post that maybe the charge was all the time
Bill | | |
#99893 03/15/2007 9:24 PM | Joined: Jun 2004 Posts: 8,597 Riding in the Passing Lane | | Riding in the Passing Lane Joined: Jun 2004 Posts: 8,597 | The charging voltage stays the same except some regulators are temperature compensated & it may vary a little. The amp. flow goes down as the battery builds up. It just happens naturally. As the voltage in the battery builds up there is no more flow. Kinda like airing up a tire with a 40 lb. tank. When the tire has 40 lbs pressure there is no more airflow.
They say money can't buy happiness. It can buy old Chevy trucks though. Same thing. 1972 Chevy c10 Cheyenne SuperIn the Gallery Forum | | |
#99894 03/15/2007 10:23 PM | Joined: Jul 2006 Posts: 482 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Jul 2006 Posts: 482 | Oh, I get it. That's why we have an ammeter on the dash. Duh!
So I should put the multimeter on amps and check that. | | |
#99895 03/15/2007 11:44 PM | Joined: Jul 2004 Posts: 5,708 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Jul 2004 Posts: 5,708 | orchidskip,
Current flow, or 'amps' requires the meter to be connected in series with the load. Few multi-meters will read above 10 amps, which isn't much for a automotive charging system.
The voltmeter will give you a true reading on the state of charge of your battery. I think you said your reading was 14.0 volts...this is fine. A fully charged battery is around 14.5 volts and some folks will tell you that 14.8 is the absolute max.
You don't need the ammeter..a voltage reading is adequate. If your reading is 14.0 volts with the system charging, it isn't overcharging, it's fine.
Stuart | | |
#99896 03/16/2007 2:19 AM | Joined: Jan 2007 Posts: 50 Member | | Member Joined: Jan 2007 Posts: 50 | If you let it run,charge a while then check voltage with engine and key off. It should be up in the thirteen erea. If not you have a battery problem. My 2 cents
restoring a 1946 coe wrecker.
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#99897 03/16/2007 3:19 AM | Joined: Jul 2006 Posts: 482 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Jul 2006 Posts: 482 | Stuart,
Before I read your response, I tried to check the amperage and realized that ACA probably means alternating current amps. No setting for direct current amps on the multimeter so you is right. It would be nice to be able to see what the flow of amperage is would it not? Even though it seems to be working fine, not sure I completely trust the truck's ammeter. Anyways, it doesn't give you an exact reading. You just kinda know that if it's not in the center somethings wrong...
Tanks, Skip | | |
#99898 03/16/2007 10:39 PM | Joined: Apr 2005 Posts: 345 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Apr 2005 Posts: 345 | orchid,
After I had installed an alternator I had a battery drain. I continually had to disconnect the battery if the truck was to sit for more than 2 days. I then reversed the field and sensor wire and that solved the problem. I've had the truck sit for over 2 months (sorry to say) without starting and it kicks right over. | | |
#99899 03/20/2007 11:24 AM | Joined: Feb 2006 Posts: 395 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Feb 2006 Posts: 395 | if the batt is boiling at 14 volts get batt checked as sounds like a bad cell causing chg system to over charge trying to bring batt up...doc | | |
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