Alternator putting out?
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Elder User
Joined: Oct 2006
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From: Land of Lincoln
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?
Hotshot
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 19,072
Likes: 243
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
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
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Elder User
Joined: Oct 2006
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From: Land of Lincoln
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!
Hotshot
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 19,072
Likes: 243
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
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
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 $
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Elder User
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From: Land of Lincoln
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Elder User
Joined: Oct 2006
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From: Land of Lincoln
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?
Hotshot
Joined: Jul 2005
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From: Middle Tn.
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?
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