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View Full Version : Alternator voltage



Spooky
27-11-2009, 12:38
I know the car needs at least 12v to start & that the alternator should be generating between 12-14v when the car is running.

What sort of voltage should I see per 1k rpm ?

Or does the alternator produce a peak figure over x amount of revs ?

After speaking to the 'M' last night, my niggly misfire issue could be similar to what he described and the only electrical item left untouched is the alternator.

tiff_lee
27-11-2009, 13:07
Alternator needs 12v to start the car? not sure what you mean by that as you could start the car without one even connected.

At idle its usually around the 13v mark a little vague I know but i'm about 400 miles from my car otherwise i'd go check quickly.

Spooky
27-11-2009, 13:08
No, I meant the battery LOL

Os8472
27-11-2009, 13:08
Witht the engine off your battery should have a voltage anywhere between 11.8volts and 12.2volts, with the engine running it should be anywhere between 13.6volts (less if you are using lots of electrical bits) and 14.3volts, the voltage shouldn't go up with the revs, if it is then you've got a dodgy regulator on the alt

markey b
27-11-2009, 13:08
alt output is regulated, should be about 14.2v at anything over idle

Spooky
27-11-2009, 13:14
Cool beans :agree: