Can an alternator be too powerful?

[Thatch]

AA replaced my alternator a month ago, and it sorted a couple of problems for me.

However i noticed:
- there is an overpowering new alternator smell in the car (hope you know what i mean!)
- and the volt meter is heavily in the red (at the top end)

my garage is saying it is charging at 15.2v rather than at the recommended 13.8-14.2v.

Is this a problem/dangerous?

Any advice gratefully received.

Andrew

[Spitfire2]

I had a dodgy alternator in the Spitfire once - its regulator had gone and it was overcharging (Voltmeter reading well high).

After a run the battery was fizzing & popping - I kept my distance until it stopped.

So yes - I'd say this could be a bad thing and you might want to return that alternator for a good 'un.

[Cider Andy]

I had a faulty alternator on a Cortina some years ago, which was putting out too high a voltage. It kept blowing H4 headlamp bulbs. The risk on your [much more modern] car is of damaging (among other things) electronic circuits, eg. the fuel injection ECU: much more expensive to fix than a lamp.

[rigga]

Regulator pack on the alternator has failed,will damage the plates in the battery if left.

[Guillotine]

[Thatch]

AA just been to check, and it is faulty - overcharging! He's off to get a replacement.

going to get him to check the battery in case the 300 miles i've done since it was fitted has cooked it!

[Thatch]

The very nice man from the AA has fitted new alternator and new battery for free under warranty, and all seems to be right with the world!

just got to figure out why the front sidelights are not working - it never ends!

[haircutmike]

May have blown the bulbs!

[Thatch]

unfortunately not.

front sidelight bulbs are fine, and all fuses OK. Think it is down to a connection in the dash (got another thread going on that one!)

cheers