Author
Topic: Alternator Issues For The Pros
I have a couple questions: 1) How do you test for ac current coming from your alternator? 2) How much ac should you see? I put my DMM + lead to the + terminal of my battery and the - lead to the - term of battery and saw 30v ac. Autozone said my alternator was fine, though it said 42 amps peak @ 13-13.5v for a factory 60 amp alt.
TweedleDee
Member
Member # 22461
posted 01-04-2009 05:58 PM
I have a couple questions: 1) How do you test for ac current coming from your alternator? 2) How much ac should you see? I put my DMM + lead to the + terminal of my battery and the - lead to the - term of battery and saw 30v ac. Autozone said my alternator was fine, though it said 42 amps peak @ 13-13.5v for a factory 60 amp alt.
Posts: 126 | From: CA | Registered: Jan 2008
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you shouldn't have ANY a/c current from the alt...it should be d/c You need a d/c clamp meter and just throw it on the charging wire. If they tested just at idle then 42 amps is normal...most factory alts are rated at higher rpms --------------------
TeamSubGoPoof
Senior Member
Member # 11162
posted 01-04-2009 06:11 PM
you shouldn't have ANY a/c current from the alt...it should be d/c You need a d/c clamp meter and just throw it on the charging wire. If they tested just at idle then 42 amps is normal...most factory alts are rated at higher rpms --------------------
Posts: 8173 | From: Russellville AL | Registered: Nov 2002
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they tested @ idle and 2000rpm
TweedleDee
Member
Member # 22461
posted 01-04-2009 06:14 PM
they tested @ idle and 2000rpm
Posts: 126 | From: CA | Registered: Jan 2008
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2k engine rpm or 2k alt rpm? --------------------
TeamSubGoPoof
Senior Member
Member # 11162
posted 01-04-2009 11:18 PM
2k engine rpm or 2k alt rpm? --------------------
Posts: 8173 | From: Russellville AL | Registered: Nov 2002
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Engine rpm. So probably around 3200 alternator rpm.
TweedleDee
Member
Member # 22461
posted 01-05-2009 12:59 PM
Engine rpm. So probably around 3200 alternator rpm.
Posts: 126 | From: CA | Registered: Jan 2008
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Wow, 30v ac! Iirc, more than .5volt of AC leakage would mean a bad diode issue in the alt.
Earthman
New Member
Member # 23320
posted 01-14-2009 11:59 PM
Wow, 30v ac! Iirc, more than .5volt of AC leakage would mean a bad diode issue in the alt.
Posts: 16 | From: california | Registered: Mar 2008
| IP: Logged |
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