Thanks for the Info Chuck.
Hi Guys,
I use this thread as this belong to my question to Alternator regulator. I am working on completion of electrical system and now come to the test of charging system.
I want to ask how to test if voltage regulator is working properly and my alternator is charging correctly.
I buy a new Motorcraft voltage regulator. My car is equipped with ammeter in dash. Altenator is an old stuff. Just cleaned it and put new bearings.
I believe all electrical system was connected according to the factory schematic.
Results of the testing I performed:
Battery output at ignition off is 11,9 V
Once I start the car (1500 rpm - choke on) the voltage between on battery terminals increases to 13,8V and stays constant regardless I turn the light or any accessory on or increase engine rpm.
The field port on regulator connected to alternator shows 8 volts with light off and 12 V with lights on.
Ammeter gauge hardly moves down while accessory is switch on. When engine running no movement in charging array is detected. When I hooked between the port terminal and battery + port the movement is much larger.
I tested red and yellow wires going to the dash back to port in engine compartment and seems to be connected with minimal resistance.
So, sorry maybe dumb question but, I am not an expert in car charging electrical systems.
According to the description I put above do you believe the charging works correctly ?
How to better test Ammeter gauge ?
Here is the connection of my regulator.
A - Goes to port terminal
S - connected to Ignition
F - Connected to Alternator Field
At 13.8 VDC the charging system is working. At 11.9 at the battery it sounds like the battery either needs to be charged or has a weak cell. Chuck
Are you changing to an internal style alternator? What alternator are you wanting to use? Chuck
The full current is not passed through the ammeter. Instead a shunt is used to bypass most of the current so that only a small current actually passes through the ammeter. I would suspect that the shunt has been replaced/rewired, so that too much current flows through the shunt and not enough goes through the ammeter. Also, the ammeter works on a very small current and the movements must be very free. Any dirt, oil, etc. in the pivots will prevent the needle from moving.Hi Guys,
I use this thread as this belong to my question to Alternator regulator. I am working on completion of electrical system and now come to the test of charging system.
I want to ask how to test if voltage regulator is working properly and my alternator is charging correctly.
I buy a new Motorcraft voltage regulator. My car is equipped with ammeter in dash. Altenator is an old stuff. Just cleaned it and put new bearings.
I believe all electrical system was connected according to the factory schematic.
Results of the testing I performed:
Battery output at ignition off is 11,9 V
Once I start the car (1500 rpm - choke on) the voltage between on battery terminals increases to 13,8V and stays constant regardless I turn the light or any accessory on or increase engine rpm.
The field port on regulator connected to alternator shows 8 volts with light off and 12 V with lights on.
Ammeter gauge hardly moves down while accessory is switch on. When engine running no movement in charging array is detected. When I hooked between the port terminal and battery + port the movement is much larger.
I tested red and yellow wires going to the dash back to port in engine compartment and seems to be connected with minimal resistance.
So, sorry maybe dumb question but, I am not an expert in car charging electrical systems.
According to the description I put above do you believe the charging works correctly ?
How to better test Ammeter gauge ?
Here is the connection of my regulator.
A - Goes to port terminal
S - connected to Ignition
F - Connected to Alternator Field
