[FC] Proper Way to Test Alternator

[Ashley Ackley]

Is your wiring new? You can loose a lot of voltage with the long old wires, rusty/loose fuse block, and dirty chassis plugs.



> On May 8, 2015, at 6:00 PM, Jim Davis via Corvanatics <corvanatics at corvair.org> wrote:
> 
> My Autozone "panics" when they see a Corvair style alternator mount; especially if it is on a 12 SI alternator.  Fornatuly a fellow Rampside owner works the counter at Advance Auto so he is able to cobble a mount setup.
> Jim Davis
> 
>> On 5/8/2015 6:46 PM, J. R. Read via Corvanatics wrote:
>> Your local FLAPS will test alternators free of charge.  You will probably need to know what vehicle it (originally) came from.
>> 
>> Later, JR
>> 
>> ----- Original Message ----- From: "Kevin Clark kevin--- via Corvanatics" <corvanatics at corvair.org>
>> To: "corvanatics group" <corvanatics at corvair.org>
>> Sent: Friday, May 08, 2015 6:39 PM
>> Subject: [FC] Proper Way to Test Alternator
>> 
>> 
>>> Hey gang,
>>> 
>>> What is the proper way to test your alternator? The shop manual might not be helpful since I have an internally regulated alternator instead of stock generator on my 1964 FC engine.
>>> 
>>> Currently I have one wire plugged in the "R" side of the RF terminal on the alternator. Here are the steps I think I should do and correct me along the way:
>>> 
>>> Unplug the battery and engine harness wire from the BATT post on the alternator.
>>> 
>>> Unplug the one wire plug from the "R" socket from the alternator.
>>> 
>>> Connect a jumper wire from the battery post to the "F" side of the terminal.
>>> 
>>> Connect a voltmeter from the BATT to the ground.
>>> Question here is there is no "GRD" on the alternator. Do I use the engine frame rail as ground?
>>> 
>>> Run the engine at 1500 RPM for several minutes. What reading should I get on the voltmeter to determine the state of the alternator?
>>> 
>>> My RetroSound radio quit working and I discovered I wasn't getting 12volts to the radio. I can rule out the voltage regulator since it is not in use with the internally regulated alternator. I am getting 12.44volts from the battery terminal with the engine running. Could there be another problem involved causing the low voltage?
>>> 
>>> Kevin
>>> 
>>> ------------------------------
>>> Kevin G. Clark
>>> kevin at kcvairbrush.com
>>> www.kcvairbrush.com
>>> 
>>> 
>>> 
>>> 
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>> 
>> 
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> 
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