Best Battery Alternator Tester

[Bigtee]

What do you recommend for a battery alternater tester? I'm not a professional, just work on my own vehicles, tractor and mower.

 

[one9gt]

a multimeter is probably the easiest and quickest way to check both

 

[dclassical]

I have OTC3184 which I like. It will test the battery, alternator and starter. It did find too much ripple from the alternator on one of my car, which I confirmed on my scope (well I confirmed ripples and decided that they were alright/acceptable).

 

[ex-x-fire]

A used Vat40. I wish we had one at work.

 

[ilikedirt]

Multimeter and a clamp are your best friends.

You can use the clamp to check amperage the alternator is putting out at idle, while revving and when it has a load.

Clamp Meter: