| Alternator 8 volts output. [message #149482] |
Sat, 12 November 2011 16:15  |
roel_b
Messages: 28
Registered: November 2007
Location: The Netherlands
Karma:
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Junior Member |
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A couple of weeks ago a thing happened which I cannot really explain, I'll try to describe it.
In the morning on the campground got everything ready for departure, started the engine, switched on the compressor and let the engine running idling at about 800 rpm's. Then I thought of making some coffee for on the road and hooked up the electric waterkettle to the invertor (hooked on to the housebattery) for boiling some water, engine was still idling. After the water had boiled and the wife made the coffee noticed that the voltage, measured at the onboard circuit from the starterbattery, was at 12.5 volts and the generator light at the dash was on. Revving up the engine did nothing, voltage stayed the same, stopped the engine and started her again, no change, opened the engine hatch and touched the alternator which was really hot, took the voltmeter and measured 8 volts at the output stud of the alternator, over at the middlepost of the diode also 8 volts and 12.5 at both batteries. As we only had to drive 250 km's to get home during daytime that day thought I'd take the change and go by battery only for the ignition.
But after about 45 mins driving the generatorlight went dim and the voltmeter pointed at 13.8 volts again, don't know if it was a sudden change or gradually going to 13.8 volts. Since then no problems with the alternator whatsoever.
APC cable installed.
What could have happened here, why exactly 8 volts output all the time and no fluctuations for as long as I measured.
Alternator looks as new and is the stock 80 amps, probably never been rebuild.
Any advice appreciated.
Brgds.,
Roel
GMC 230 Painted Desert '73
[Updated on: Sat, 12 November 2011 16:17] Report message to a moderator |
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