What would be a normal charging amount if the engine was running at 2000 rpm?
A small car alternator is rated about a 60 amps maximum. At about 2000 rpm the alternator produces about half this maximum, so at engine idle the alternator is charging well. Efficiency peaks at around 3000rpm, ie 50 amps, and will only give small increases over this, regardless of the rpm.
What should a battery read on a tester?
Check the reading. A fully charged battery will typically display a voltmeter reading of about 12.6 to 12.8 volts. If your voltmeter is showing a voltage anywhere between 12.4 and 12.8, that means your battery is in good shape. Any voltage above 12.9 volts is a good indicator that your battery has excessive voltage.
Is there any reason to exceed 2000 rpm?
@Nevada_545 , There is no reason to exceed 2000 rpm’s in park or neutral . Are you saying you think the engine is supposed to do what it’s doing as far as rpm’s go ?
How long do I need to run the engine to charge the battery?
Or start up your engine and leave it running for about 5-10 minutes. There is a factor not considered in other answers, which is the original charge of the battery. If you start the car with a healthy, fully charged battery, only a few minutes are needed, in particular if you are driving (higher revs).
How can I tell if my car battery is full?
You think the battery is your problem but you’re not sure. Fortunately, you can check the state of charge of your battery using an inexpensive multimeter. This test will reveal whether or not your battery is fully charged. In order to safely and efficiently test your battery, you need a couple of basic tools.
How is the power output of an alternator related to the engine RPM?
The power output (and therefore load on the engine) from an alternator is proportional to the product (multiplication) of the engine rpm and the alternator field strength.
What should the battery voltage be at 2000 rpm?
With the engine at 2000 RPMs, the meter should read between 14.0 and 14.4 VDC and only be 0.04 volts less than the reading recorded at the battery. If the difference in voltage readings is less than 0.02 volts, the battery cables are good.
What should the alternator read at 2000 rpm?
Use a digital voltmeter to check the battery terminals after the engine has reached operating temp. The battery should be fully charged and the meter should read approx. 14.0 VDC. w/the engine at 2000 RPMs. Write down the reading for reference; it will be used in the next step. If it is more than 14.4 VDC, the alternator regulator is not working.
What should the battery reading be on a marine engine?
Use a digital voltmeter to check the battery terminals after the engine has reached operating temp. The battery should be fully charged and the meter should read approx. 14.0 VDC. w/the engine at 2000 RPMs. Write down the reading for reference; it will be used in the next step.
How to monitor your rpm gauge to get the best performance?
A car tachometer, or RPM gauge, shows the speed the engine is spinning. Watch your RPM gauge to improve your car’s performance and fuel efficiency. When you start your car, the crankshaft inside the engine begins to turn. The engine’s pistons are connected to the crankshaft, and they rotate the crankshaft through their up and down motion.