Low voltage from alternator.

[cejsmith]

My car broke down before Christmas because the battery wasn't charging, most people pointed me in the direction of the 100 amp fuse. One finally arrived to day and I swapped it over. I started the car and checked on the voltage on the display and it reads 11.7 v and if I increase the load it drops.

I checked the alternator and that only seems to be producing 11.7 ish volts, is it broken or could I be missing something and I assume if I drive the car around the alternator will not keep the battery topped up?

[K4TRV]

cejsmith said:

snippity............I checked the alternator and that only seems to be producing 11.7 isn volts, is it broken or could I be missing something and I assume if I drive the car around the alternator will not keep the battery topped up?..........snip

you need a new alternator, presuming that when you took the air box off to replace the 100 A fuse that the Alternator belt was firm and secure??

T

[cejsmith]

The alternator was certainly going around and the belt looked fine.. I've just never had a alternator that didn't produce enough voltage I thought they either worked or didn't!!

[BuzzBillsberry]

K4TRV said:

you need a new alternator, presuming that when you took the air box off to replace the 100 A fuse that the Alternator belt was firm and secure??

T

Ditto that

Just because it's going round and looks fine doesn't mean it works! you should be seeing at least 14v

Buzz

[Sevenman]

cejsmith said:

The alternator was certainly going around and the belt looked fine.. I've just never had a alternator that didn't produce enough voltage I thought they either worked or didn't!!

It sounds like yours doesn't.

You measured 11.7 volts across the alternator, but it was the battery providing that voltage, not the alternator.

If you stopped the engine that voltage should go up.

[cejsmith]

Sevenman said:

It sounds like yours doesn't.

You measured 11.7 volts across the alternator, but it was the battery providing that voltage, not the alternator.

If you stopped the engine that voltage should go up.

Fair enough , I forgot electricity goes both way !!!

So where is the best place to buy a new one or is there ant where around Milton Keynes that can refresh it?

[glow worm]

Could be a smart arse and say I told you so

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...

I got a recon'd one from Ribblesdale Electrics but I'm afraid they are in Preston.

http://www.ribblesdale.co.uk/productsmenu/alternat...

£145

Edited by glow worm on Monday 27th January 09:46