Alternator Charging Problem

[Chuck Wheeler]

It sounds like a alternator or regulator but the operation you describe does not sound normal. The voltage should be form about 13.2 to 14.5 depending on the temperature. If you have been running on the batteries for awhile the voltage will usually be lower as the batteries charge up then settle in around 14v. It may drop a little with the running lights on but at 12v you are not charging the batteries. Do not trust the dash gauge. Use a good multimeter and check the output of the alternator and the voltage at the batteries.I do not have a isolator so I do not know it's impact butdue to wire loss I have about.2vlower voltage at the batteries than at the alternator. I have a different brand alternator with a remote regulator so that the regulator senses the battery temperature instead of the dog house temperature so I cannot speak to the constant 12v on the trigger wire. My regulator does not have power when the ignition is off.

- Chuck Wheeler-

1982 FC 31SB Fort Worth TX

---

From: WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com [mailto:WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of D
Sent: Tuesday, January 13, 2009 11:28 AM
To: WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com
Subject: [WanderlodgeForum] Alternator Charging Problem

Hey All!

I've been experiencing intermittened charging from my Leece Neville
A0017704JA alternator and now not getting anything out of it. I had
it rebuilt about 2 years ago (7000 miles) and this last summer my
voltage meter would hit 14 volts for a short few minutes and then
dips just under 12 volts for a long time (night time driving). With
lights off my voltage hovers around 12 volts.

This alternator has a pig tail on the regulator which I figure is the
trigger wire (14 guage)? It appears to be live (12 volts) with key
off or on. So this has been on All The Time. Wondering if that wire
being energized all the time could damage the regulator or
alternator.

I am wondering if this could be a malfunctioning battery isolator.
I'm rambling with lots of ideas without being able to try them out
from my office.

Any thoughts? Thanks for taking the time to read my lengthy query.

Dru and Debora
83 FC 35 RB
Steady Gittin' It!