Alternator testing rpm and testers

[Danglerb]

Every week or so I put one of our cars on my battery charger and check the system out while I make sure the battery is topped up and in good condition. When I hooked up my 1999 Lincoln Continental, battery looked OK 12.6v engine off, start it up and voltage only went up to 12.9v at idle, revving the motor to 1500 rpm was still only about 13.5v. My charger set in the alternator test showed red at idle and no better than 50% at 1500 rpm. Seems low, which started me looking seriously at buying a real tester like the Solar BA7.

Reading the manual on the Solar BA7 wasn't too convincing, it looks like a measures voltage with a max and min function (lowest v during cranking), but nothing fancy like checking diodes via ripple etc.

Anybody using the BA7 or its ilk, or is it a big jump to midtronics etc?

 

[1ZlowZ]

check ac ripple and all that jazz

 

[Bullitt427]

Better to use a handheld Fluke that can do an amp draw and measure voltage.



Josh

 

[theoldwizard1]

First make certain all connections are clean and tight,

With the engine off and a known good meter, turn the headlights on and watch until the voltage drops to between 11.0-11.5V.

Start the car and rev to between 1500-2000. You should get at least 14V.

 

[Danglerb]

First make certain all connections are clean and tight,

With the engine off and a known good meter, turn the headlights on and watch until the voltage drops to between 11.0-11.5V.

Start the car and rev to between 1500-2000. You should get at least 14V.

Easy one, I will give that a shot.

I have a plenty good meter, Craftsman 82369 with a DC clamp, it was inside the house and I was trying for a quick test out in the garage before leaving using just the function on the charger.

Problem is what I am seeing I think falls into "marginal" not clearly good or bad, but my money is on something turning up bad.