Notices
6.0L Power Stroke Diesel 2003 - 2007 F250, F350 pickup and F350+ Cab Chassis, 2003 - 2005 Excursion and 2003 - 2009 van

Alternator putting out?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Jun 8, 2012 | 09:55 PM
  #1  
Special Ed's Avatar
Special Ed
Thread Starter
|
Elder User
15 Year Member
Photogenic
Photoriffic
Shutterbug
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 630
Likes: 0
From: Land of Lincoln
Club FTE Silver Member

Exclamation Alternator putting out?

Quick question guys. Was coming home with the lights on Edge was reading 12.9-13.3 the whole way. I thought was kind of low. Soon as I pulled in the driveway left it running & verified with a meter on each battery 13.3 drivers & 13.4 passenger at idle with light on. Never exceeded 13.3 while driving even when I got on her. I remember seeing 13.7-13.8 while cruising. I have brand new red top Optimas in there less than a year old & has a Ford Reman alternator on it. Does it look like I might have a problem?
 
Reply
Old Jun 8, 2012 | 10:21 PM
  #2  
BLADE35's Avatar
BLADE35
Hotshot
15 Year Member
Liked
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 19,055
Likes: 235
From: Saratoga Springs,UT
Is the Battery Light on the dash coming on yet??????? its very accurite from what Iv Found
Have you cleaned all battery cables yet Even followed grounds to where they mount to frame and engine?????

12.9 volts is low but you do have alittle volts drop from alt to Gauge in the cab but its still low at that

As it gets Hotter the volts drop maybe even More

Check Alternator output on your Gauge right after startup and when Glow Plugs turn off (GP can stay on upto 2 min when cold) the alternator will not charge until GP Turn off

When my GP are off I see 13.8-14.4volts right at the first 5-10minutes of driving to recharge the batterys from the Starting Load of everything

After done charge it will Hold at 13.3-13.8volts while driving

I do have the DC Power Alternator and it has a Smaller Pulley on it than an OEM Alt so it does kick more power out at Idel

Thats my Normal Senerio if battery light not coming on you probably OK

If you do need an alternator DC Power is TOP QUALITY and HIGHLY RECOMENDED alittle spendy but you wont have to worrey about it anymore

When my OEM Alternator was only kicking out 12 volts range it was about Dead dont let it Kill the Ficm
 
Reply
Old Jun 8, 2012 | 10:28 PM
  #3  
Special Ed's Avatar
Special Ed
Thread Starter
|
Elder User
15 Year Member
Photogenic
Photoriffic
Shutterbug
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 630
Likes: 0
From: Land of Lincoln
Club FTE Silver Member

Thanks for the reply Benny. Batt light is not coming on & I have not checked chassis grounds yet. Batt terminals are clean & tight. I will check them grounds in the morning, thanks!
 
Reply
Old Jun 8, 2012 | 10:46 PM
  #4  
BLADE35's Avatar
BLADE35
Hotshot
15 Year Member
Liked
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 19,055
Likes: 235
From: Saratoga Springs,UT
Yes clean them grounds all ends

When I got my DC Power last summer I cleaned every cable with a Dremal wire brush Tool

If the grounds are dirty the Alternator will charge and charge untill it burns up

one ground goes to A/C compressor area and other by the Power steering pump area

My last OEM rebuilt alt only went 4K it might of went more with clean grounds IDK Stereo pushes them alts HARD

That DC Power Dont even have to try to keep up since smaller pulley spins it Faster plus its got Top of the Line Electronics in it

Might be worth throwing some pennys in the piggey Bank for when the time comes to get a New Alt
 
Reply
Old Jun 9, 2012 | 01:16 AM
  #5  
lakewood's Avatar
lakewood
Posting Guru
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 1,340
Likes: 4
From: Bradenton, FL
My Ford reman alternator dropped from 13.8 to 13.3 and below, it would fluctuate causing the battery light to come on. So i bough a Dc power alternator and problem solved lol. I love this alternator, if your in the market for a new one its worth the extra $
 
Reply
Old Jun 9, 2012 | 07:16 AM
  #6  
Special Ed's Avatar
Special Ed
Thread Starter
|
Elder User
15 Year Member
Photogenic
Photoriffic
Shutterbug
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 630
Likes: 0
From: Land of Lincoln
Club FTE Silver Member

Lakewood, which model DC Power did u get?
 
Reply
Old Jun 9, 2012 | 07:20 AM
  #7  
Special Ed's Avatar
Special Ed
Thread Starter
|
Elder User
15 Year Member
Photogenic
Photoriffic
Shutterbug
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 630
Likes: 0
From: Land of Lincoln
Club FTE Silver Member

Stock alternator is only 110 amps?
 
Reply
Old Jun 9, 2012 | 01:32 PM
  #8  
bismic's Avatar
bismic
Fleet Owner
Community Builder
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 27,885
Likes: 3,599
Club FTE Gold Member
yuuuuup .
 
Reply
FTE Stories

Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts

story-0

Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies

 Joe Kucinski
story-1

AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make

 Brett Foote
story-2

Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!

 Michael S. Palmer
story-3

Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home

 Verdad Gallardo
story-4

10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!

 Joe Kucinski
story-5

2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road: Better Than a Raptor R?

 Brett Foote
story-6

2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package First Look: 12 Things You NEED to Know!

 Michael S. Palmer
story-7

10 Most Surprising 2026 Ford Truck Features!

 Joe Kucinski
story-8

Top 10 Ford Trucks Coming to Mecum Indy 2026

 Brett Foote
story-9

5 Best / 5 Worst Ford Truck Wheels of All Time

 Joe Kucinski
Old Jun 10, 2012 | 01:02 PM
  #9  
Special Ed's Avatar
Special Ed
Thread Starter
|
Elder User
15 Year Member
Photogenic
Photoriffic
Shutterbug
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 630
Likes: 0
From: Land of Lincoln
Club FTE Silver Member

Check batteries before starting in the morning both sitting at 12.7 Hooked the multimeter to the drivers & started her. Sat at 12.1 while the glow plugs were on. Soon as they shut off she went straight to 14.2 Drove around all day yesterday & today with the lights on constant 13.2-13.7 Checked grounds all look good. What are you guys getting for voltage off your Edge Insight?
 
Reply
Old Jun 10, 2012 | 01:38 PM
  #10  
69cj's Avatar
69cj
Hotshot
20 Year Member
Photogenic
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 13,834
Likes: 25
From: Middle Tn.
Originally Posted by Special Ed
Check batteries before starting in the morning both sitting at 12.7 Hooked the multimeter to the drivers & started her. Sat at 12.1 while the glow plugs were on. Soon as they shut off she went straight to 14.2 Drove around all day yesterday & today with the lights on constant 13.2-13.7 Checked grounds all look good. What are you guys getting for voltage off your Edge Insight?
IMHO your readings look fine. The alt. will only put out what the batteries and load need. If it puts out more than needed you'll boil the batteries.
 
Reply
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
bbsitum
1997 - 2003 F150
36
May 2, 2019 09:26 AM
imq707s
6.0L Power Stroke Diesel
10
Aug 3, 2018 02:40 PM
dano89406
6.0L Power Stroke Diesel
27
Sep 15, 2012 02:03 PM
pjeitler
6.0L Power Stroke Diesel
12
Feb 15, 2012 07:45 PM
sls985
Ford Inline Six, 200, 250, 4.9L / 300
2
Mar 27, 2003 07:28 PM




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 11:58 PM.

story-0
Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies

Slideshow: Top 10 Ford truck tragedies.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-18 19:34:33


VIEW MORE
story-1
AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make

And it might be even better than that.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-18 19:26:42


VIEW MORE
story-2
Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!

Slideshow: Does lowering an F-150 Lobo RUIN the ride quality?

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-05-18 19:20:37


VIEW MORE
story-3
Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home

Slideshow: Ford's bizarre fishing-themed Explorer concept has resurfaced after spending decades largely forgotten.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-12 18:07:46


VIEW MORE
story-4
10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!

Slideshow: The 10 best Ford truck engines we miss the most.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-12 13:09:47


VIEW MORE
story-5
2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road: Better Than a Raptor R?

Slideshow: first look at the 810 hp 2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road!

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-12 12:50:07


VIEW MORE
story-6
2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package First Look: 12 Things You NEED to Know!

Slideshow: Everything You Need to Know about the 2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package!

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-05-07 17:51:06


VIEW MORE
story-7
10 Most Surprising 2026 Ford Truck Features!

Slideshow: 10 most surprising Ford truck options/features in 2026.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-05 11:17:22


VIEW MORE
story-8
Top 10 Ford Trucks Coming to Mecum Indy 2026

Slideshow: Here are the top 10 Fords coming to Mecum Indy 2026.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-04 13:49:49


VIEW MORE
story-9
5 Best / 5 Worst Ford Truck Wheels of All Time

Slideshow: The 5 best and 5 worst Ford truck wheels of all time

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-29 16:49:01


VIEW MORE