Why is my new alternator overcharging?
Battery. Alternators that overcharge will typically produce excess voltage to the battery, making the battery case swell up, become very hot and lose its electrolyte through boiling. This surge disrupts the wiring in the alternator, causing an overcharging condition.
Why is my alternator Reading High?
If you are getting more than 2 volts above base voltage, most likely your alternator is over-charging the battery or the battery is faulty. Other potential problems are a faulty voltage regulator or a problem in the charging system wiring.
Is an overcharging alternator bad?
An overcharging alternator can lead to headlights and tail lights prematurely blowing out alone or in tandem. Other burnout symptoms of an overcharging alternator are repeated blown fuses, dash and interior lights blowing out and lights becoming extremely bright when engine speed increases.
What causes an alternator to go over base voltage?
If you are getting more than 2 volts above base voltage, most likely your alternator is over-charging the battery or the battery is faulty. Other potential problems are a faulty voltage regulator or a problem in the charging system wiring.
How is the voltage of an alternator measured?
Some alternators are “single wire” (not counting the frame ground) assuming there’s not much voltage drop between there and the battery. Other alternators are “Remote Sense” and use a third wire to measure voltage over closer to battery.
What should I do if my alternator overcharges?
The older type of fender-mounted regulator and a newer alternator that has the regulator inside of it will show the same types of overcharging symptoms. Newer alternators have computer controlled regulating devices. One such design uses a “temperature compensated” computer sensor.
Is it safe to turn on heated windshield alternator?
But don’t turn on the heated windshield if your vehicle has one; alternator voltage may increase to over 100V and this can be unsafe. Take a voltage reading across the battery posts. Your reading should be at least 0.5 volts above base voltage for your system to keep up with electrical system demands.