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Date:         Tue, 22 Apr 1997 08:17:13 -0700
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@vanagon.com>
From:         "Michael A. Radtke" <m.radtke@az05.bull.com>
Subject:      RE: Rebuilt alternator for my 91 Carat

"is 13.75 volts a bad reading for an alternator?"

Tim,

That depends ...

I don't remember the curve, but the recommended charging voltage varies inversely with temperature. 13.75 volts looks fine to me for summer with 13.8 volts being the standard for room temperature.

Many compromises are made in auto design and the advantages of including the voltage regulator in the alternator sacrifices the sensing of air temperature in favor of compact design with less complex wiring. Actually external regulators get it wrong as well because what counts is battery temperature, not air temperature.

So, if the mechanic measured 13.75 volts on a warm alternator, it is just right.

Mike

Michael A. Radtke - Z74 Voice: 602-862-4897 Bull FAX: 4853 13430 N. Black Canyon Hwy. Phoenix, AZ 85029 Email: m.radtke@bull.com


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