Voltage should be no higher than 14 anywhere in the system. Measuring the voltage in different points is useful depending on what you are trying to find out. This is the technique that troubleshooters use to nail down a problem. A voltage measurement at the light itself would be a good place to start. If it's normal here, you can assume that the rest of the system is OK. If it is high, than there can be several possible causes, including the regulator (in the alternator, in this case). As the inclusion of a properly functioning storage battery is necessary to obtain a proper "load" on the alternator, sometimes a high overall voltage in the circuit can be caused by a battery that has sulfated to the point where it's internal resistance has risen to where it will no longer place a proper load on the regulator circuit. This same condition can be caused by anything that raises the resistances of the battery cables / ground connections, such as looseness or corrosion. Hope this helps. Chuck '83 Westy ----- Original Message ----- From: "Matthew" <poll7356@UIDAHO.EDU> To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM> Sent: Wednesday, October 15, 2003 12:55 PM Subject: alternator output voltage?
> what should the voltage coming off the alterator be? Is is legitimate to > measure this at the alternator or should i measure it at the battery? > > <WHY? i burned up 2 headlights within a week of each other. At 15$ a > bulb i need to see if it was a fluke too much juice out of the > alternator. Should i meaure this voltage at the light instead (they are > relayed)> > > thanks > matthew > 86 syncro westy |
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