Posted By: A12
Why doesn't my volt meter show more than 12.5v charge? - 10/10/08 03:34 PM
I just put a rebuilt '68 alternator on my 383 RR and was told it put out 58 amps by the shop that rebuilt it. So before I put the new alt on I made sure the battery was fully charged and then started the engine and ran it up to +4000 rpm and checked the battery at the terminals with a digital volt meter and it wouldn't read more than 12.5 volts. With the engine at idle the meter reads 12.2v-12.3v but that's about what the battery shows with the engine off??????? The dash gauge shows little or no charge at idle to 2000 rpm and barely moves above that. Turned the lights on high beams and the gauge shows a major discharge at idle and doesn't go beyond center at any rpm.
So I go to the parts store and get a new voltage regulator and the only one available is listed as 35-46 Ampere and the replacement looks just like the one on the car. Same results with the new volt reg. Do I need the Volt regulator listed as 60 Ampere to get this thing to charge at more than 12.5 volts????????? Thanks.
MikeR
So I go to the parts store and get a new voltage regulator and the only one available is listed as 35-46 Ampere and the replacement looks just like the one on the car. Same results with the new volt reg. Do I need the Volt regulator listed as 60 Ampere to get this thing to charge at more than 12.5 volts????????? Thanks.
MikeR