I recently had to replace the voltage regulator on my 1987 Dodge Dakota 3.9L V-6. The original problem was that the voltage regulator was not allowing the alternator to sufficiently charge the battery. Measuring the voltage across the battery while running I was only getting about 12.3 volts and the gauge on the dash was showing lower charge than normal. The alternator was tested and showed that it was good.

So I replaced the voltage regulator with a brand new one and the gauge is now reading higher than normal even after several hundred miles of driving long after the battery has been fully charged up. Measuring across the battery with the new regulator, I' m getting 14.7 volts. I was expecting around 14.3 or 14.5. Is 14.7 volts too high? I don't want to cook the 1 year old battery.

Under 15v is fine.

Sounds good. Thanks!

Yep. Anything above 15 volts will cause battery and equipment damage and if it shows 16+ volts you have a shorted cell and may get a big BOOM when the fluid boils down.

Remember to check for a valid ground to your externally regulated Dodge's voltage regulator case.It's the reguators job to control the grounding of the field circuit of the alternator to provide the correct charging voltage to the battery circuit. It's mounting bolts and surface are its connection to the body for grounding .must be clean metal to metal connection.Also verify good groundwire and clean connection from negative battery terminal to body. Use a jumper wire from v. regulator body to neg. battery terminal and look for a spark or change in charging voltge, which indicates poor body ground circuit to regulator and need to be fixed. Pretty commonly overlooked in older vehicles. Bill