alternator testing?

[drift_king]

How can I test my alternator's power output? I'm trying to avoid having to take it out to test it.

[CvGhost]

Well this could help you....do this.
Take an ohm meter and put the positive or red thing (forgive me i've been up for about 16+hours.) to the positive lead on the battery and same with the negative or black thing to the battery. Make sure you have the ohm meter setting on 20 volts ac current. WHen you start your car it should be 14 volts. If not rev the engine and it will go up to about 14 on your meter.If it stays low your alternator might not be to healthy....Hope that helps.

[drift_king]

I found out that it was healthy last night. I used a ohm meter and it was starting off at 14.5 volts, 15.5 volts when headlights were on, and it kept steady at 15.5 when reving.

[ron1004]

15.5 volts may be a little too high and could damage your battery.

I suggest that you confirm what the charging volts should be for your car - most cars charging voltage is 13.8~14.1 dc.

The voltage should be stable at 13.8~14.1 even when reving.

The multimeter should be set to DC Volts , not AC Volts as one poster mentioned.

[CvGhost]

Originally Posted by ron1004

15.5 volts may be a little too high and could damage your battery.


The multimeter should be set to DC Volts , not AC Volts as one poster mentioned.

Hehe my bad. Guess thats what i get for posting when I was tired hehe.