How can a Layman, without fancy equipment, check to see if his Alternator is making enough DC?

 

With a voltmeter. Turn on the A/C, fan, & headlights with the engine running and see if you have 13.2-15.2V from the alternator output terminal to its case.

 

It won't produce it's rated amp output until a certain rpm is reached. Some were 5000 alternator rpm.

 

So, the negative post (black) of the ammeter is put on the case of the alternator (-) and the positive post (red) is put on the alternator output (+) terminal?

Just making sure...

 

Whatever you do, don't use an "ammeter" to do this check. I am hoping you might have just made a small terminology mistake and meant to say voltmeter. You 've got everything right except use a voltmeter on a scale that will read the voltage comfortably.

An ammeter is used to measure current, and is a dead short if you try to use it from the + to the - of case of the alternator.

 

Oooopsee,
I meant a Voltmeter. Thanks for the distinction.