Ammeter Gauge needle position ?? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

TC70C10 · 04-03-2002, 01:19 PM

I think I have a short or a bad connection on the alternator circuit.

Where does everyones needle sit while the truck is running. My needle is sitting on the 3/4 side of Charge. I had Advance put it on their electrical testing machine and the alternator is putting out 13.5 volts.

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1970 Chevy C-10 350,3 spd
1998 Pontiac Firebird
1999 GMC Envoy

Harvest,AL 35749

BigJackDaddy · 04-03-2002, 03:24 PM

13.9V is optimal output, so as far as your alternator is concerned, you're fine with 13.5.

After a normal start with a healthy battery, I expect the charge rate to be high (20 to 30A) for a few minutes as the drain from the Starter is replenished, and then settle down to a trickle level (approx 4A) for the rest of the trip.

The ammeter is not wired to directly measure alternator output, it measures the Charge or Discharge from the Battery. There's a difference. If the reading of the ammeter is consistently high or low, or is indicating a discharge, and your alternator has proved OK then continue checking the belts/battery/regulator/gauge etc.

Jack

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1971 GMC 1500; 307 Invader

[This message has been edited by BigJackDaddy (edited April 03, 2002).]

04-03-2002, 01:19 PM	#1
TC70C10 Registered User Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Harvest, AL 35749 Posts: 337	Ammeter Gauge needle position ?? I think I have a short or a bad connection on the alternator circuit. Where does everyones needle sit while the truck is running. My needle is sitting on the 3/4 side of Charge. I had Advance put it on their electrical testing machine and the alternator is putting out 13.5 volts. ------------------ 1970 Chevy C-10 350,3 spd 1998 Pontiac Firebird 1999 GMC Envoy Harvest,AL 35749 __________________ 1981 K5 Blazer 305, 4spd, 4x4, 4" Lift, custom bumpers, Warn 9.5 Ti Winch 1995 T10 Blazer 4.3L 4x4 (Son's) 2004 GMC Envoy 4.2L 2WD 2005 GMC Sierra Crew Cab Z71 4x4 5.3L 240 Fun Finder Travel Trailer Harvest, AL 35749

04-03-2002, 03:24 PM	#2
BigJackDaddy Registered User Join Date: Sep 2000 Location: Falcon, CO Posts: 194	13.9V is optimal output, so as far as your alternator is concerned, you're fine with 13.5. After a normal start with a healthy battery, I expect the charge rate to be high (20 to 30A) for a few minutes as the drain from the Starter is replenished, and then settle down to a trickle level (approx 4A) for the rest of the trip. The ammeter is not wired to directly measure alternator output, it measures the Charge or Discharge from the Battery. There's a difference. If the reading of the ammeter is consistently high or low, or is indicating a discharge, and your alternator has proved OK then continue checking the belts/battery/regulator/gauge etc. Jack ------------------ 1971 GMC 1500; 307 Invader [This message has been edited by BigJackDaddy (edited April 03, 2002).] __________________ ColoradoMelons.com



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