Date: Tue, 23 May 2023 21:57:39 -0600
Reply-To: OlRivrRat <OlRivrRat@COMCAST.NET>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: OlRivrRat <OlRivrRat@COMCAST.NET>
Subject: Re: On the road - charging issue
In-Reply-To: <b993c3a3-a097-edcb-92a4-faef8d98e463@cox.net>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=utf-8
For sure Mark, that is all very true if precise info is needed but in
Mikes situation, being on the road with access to alt’ inconvenient & only
really general health of alt’ output being needed, a test @ the Battery is
probably quite adequate ~
> On 23 May , 2023, at 10:13 AM, Mark Drillock <madvws@COX.NET> wrote:
>
> To accurately assess the charging system it is fundamental to start by
> measuring the charging voltage directly at the source, the alternator.
>
> Second spot is the battery itself, to make sure most of the measured
> alternator voltage is reaching it.
>
> The least important spot to measure is the dash area since it is subject
> to wide variations and gives misleading readings under different loads.
>
> Mark
>
>
>
> On 5/23/2023 8:59 AM, Michael A. Radtke wrote:
>> LarsP,
>>
>> You shouldn't have to unload your Vanagon. There is easy access to the
>> battery voltage through the cigar lighter socket, but you do need a
>> meter.
>>
>> That said, the regulated charging voltage should be less the warmer
>> things are. So you may have an issue.
>>
>> Mike
>>
>> ------------------------ Original Message ------------------------
>> Date: Tue, 23 May 2023 07:32:42 -0700
>> From: LarsP <olgreywoof@GMAIL.COM>
>> To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
>> Subject: Re: On the road - charging issue
>>
>>
>> Thanks Rob,
>>
>> That would confirm the gauge, but since I’m loaded and traveling, I was
>> hoping to get an idea of what might be going on (is this a warning?)
>> without unloading to get inside.� Everything else seems to be running
>> normally.
>>
>>
>>
>> From: Rob
>> Sent: Tuesday, May 23, 2023 5:19 AM
>> To: LarsP
>> Cc: vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com
>> Subject: Re: On the road - charging issue
>>
>>
>>
>> I'd use my multimeter and see what voltage the alternator is actually
>>
>> putting out.
>>
>>
>>
>> Rob
>>
>> vwrobb@gmail.com
>>
>>
>>
>> On Mon, May 22, 2023 at 11:29 PM LarsP <olgreywoof@gmail.com> wrote:
>>
>>>
>>
>>> 87 Wolfsburg 2.1
>>
>>>
>>
>>> Have VDO gauges which are not all that precise anyway, but Volts usually show right around 13+.� On highway today, charging stayed above 14 most of the day.� What do I learn from that?� Frying an alternator?� Alternator frying the battery?� Battery depleted?
>>
>>>
>>
>>>
>>
>>>
>>
>>> Thanks,
>>
>>>
>>
>>> gp
>>
>>>
>>
>>>
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