Question Alternator output

[RSG]

Just back from latest trip, up to Des Moines and back. Clicked over the 100k mark on the way up. And first nice road trip with my gauges too, that was enjoyable.

My question is the alternator voltage...my radar detector can show voltage at the cigarette lighter and I have noticed that it sometimes jumps 1/2 volt. This trip it was hopping between 14V and 13.5V or so. then it would be stable for a long time at something in between, then it would start hopping back and forth. This afternoon and tonight, coming back, it was stable at around 14V-14.1V. I have no idea how good the volt meter is, but if it is correct, what does it mean? (When the truck sits for a few days, it will usually show 14.1-14.6 V as it is charging).

Batteries are about 2yr old, recently cleaned posts and the terminals and wiring is corrosion free. So do you think it's batteries or alternator or fuggetaboutit?

 

[JLDickmon]

fuggetaboutit?

x2

solid state voltage regulator is gonna do what it damn well pleases anyway...

 

[commanderjjones]

x2

solid state voltage regulator is gonna do what it damn well pleases anyway...

Yeah, isn't that why they call it a alternator instead of a generator.

 

[RSG]

Thanks guys...
Where's the regulator on this beast? 1/2 V jump is curiously large. But I won't worryaboutit too much.

 

[DaveBen]

Internal to the alternator. No box on the fenders anymore.

Dave

 

[Mac Land]

Can the output for an alternator be too high?

I hit 20,000 in one year of driving and checked the batteries the water level was unusually low but I think I refilled them in time. I was told my alternator was more than likely over charging the batteries. Is this true or could it be something else.

Thanks

 

[JLDickmon]

I hit 20,000 in one year of driving and checked the batteries the water level was unusually low but I think I refilled them in time. I was told my alternator was more than likely over charging the batteries. Is this true or could it be something else.

Thanks

yes, and yes.
I see charging voltages pushing 18v nowadays..
heck ten years ago, you'd have been replacing the regulator for that..

 

[Mac Land]

Over Charging alternator

So what should I do? besides just keep an eye on it.