Strange Charging/Alternator issues
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Strange Charging/Alternator issues
05 F350.. Replaced Alternator as I could see on my Edge device it was only putting out 11.6 volts. ( Confirmed with a volt meter on the battery) Not enough... So I got the alternator rebuilt. Worked good for 2 months. Now. When I start in the morning, it starts fine, I watch my edge device for voltage. After a 1-2 minutes it goes from 11.6 volts to 13.6 volts.( This is normal and expected.) I get driving on the highway ( Truck is charging fine) Then the battery light will come on.(Still at around 13.6 volts). Then that battery light will go out,Then on. But voltage stays charging. I stop and turn the truck off. Get Fuel. Restart the truck. Its at 11.6 - 11.8 volts and then never leaves that voltage. It seems once the truck is all warmed up. Restarting it doesn't want to charge. Re-check wiring to insure all is tight. All looks good. Take the alternator in for a check. Yep. Checks good of course. Alternator issue once it gets warm? Ideas?
Postmaster
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 4,424
Likes: 12
From: BC Canada
After starting you should not see as low as 11.6 volts, I think you need to test your batteries, you have a high liklyhood both are failing with that low a voltage. If you have a hydrometer, charge each battery individually, check specific gravity of each cell, you will have one or two below the others, if in the red on teh SG, thats your bad cell. You can try desulfating them, with the proper battery charger high charge over night, but its likely you need batteries. S for the alternator, what amps at what voltage on teh alt stud, should be 14.4 volts after start up. You edge is not giving you voltage at teh alt stud but in the fuse box lead. This is often falsly low by about 0.3 to 0.4 volts. I see only as low as 12.7/12.8 right after a cold start, but I am running a 230 amp alternator.
Hotshot
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 15,369
Likes: 121
From: Stuttgart, Ar
05 F350.. Replaced Alternator as I could see on my Edge device it was only putting out 11.6 volts. ( Confirmed with a volt meter on the battery) Not enough... So I got the alternator rebuilt. Worked good for 2 months. Now. When I start in the morning, it starts fine, I watch my edge device for voltage. After a 1-2 minutes it goes from 11.6 volts to 13.6 volts.( This is normal and expected.) I get driving on the highway ( Truck is charging fine) Then the battery light will come on.(Still at around 13.6 volts). Then that battery light will go out,Then on. But voltage stays charging. I stop and turn the truck off. Get Fuel. Restart the truck. Its at 11.6 - 11.8 volts and then never leaves that voltage. It seems once the truck is all warmed up. Restarting it doesn't want to charge. Re-check wiring to insure all is tight. All looks good. Take the alternator in for a check. Yep. Checks good of course. Alternator issue once it gets warm? Ideas?
Lead Driver
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 7,838
Likes: 96
From: Manteca,Ca
Great advise guys , just wanted to add make sure you have good Grounds, just because the cable looks good and tight from the out side don't mean it's not corroded on the inside or ground contact.
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Junior User
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Took in this alternator. Tested fine on the bench when first took it in. They agreed to rebuild it anyway. I have used the truck a number of times since. All is much better again now.
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