Is 16 volts too high for alternator?

Is 16 volts too high for alternator?

For some alternators, it’s normal to see as low as 13 volts. For some, a constant 13.6 volts is an indication of a problem. For others, it’s normal to see as high as 16 volts for long stretches. Still, it’s perfectly normal for others to see the alternator not charge at all intermittently.

Is 15.5 volts too much?

In order to push energy into the battery, a higher voltage of about 14 volts is created. Higher than 15 volts indicates a fault in the charging system’s voltage regulator or related circuits. If it’s substantially excessive, this can cause electrical system and/or battery damage.

Is 18 volts too high for alternator?

Premium Member. 18 volts is a bit high. It is possible that your rebuilt alternator has a faulty regulator.

What is the maximum voltage An alternator should put out?

Nominal alternator output for most modern cars is 13.5 to 15.5 volts. Higher or lower is cause for concern, i.e., the alternator or voltage regulator is probably bad.

Is 13.6 volts good for alternator?

A good alternator should maintain battery voltage between 13.9 and 14.8 volts (14.2 is optimum). Even worst-case, with all accessories turned on, there should be at least 13 volts at the battery. If voltage is under 13.6 volts, go to Step 04.

What happens if my alternator is putting out too much voltage?

The build-up of hydrogen gas from an overcharging alternator causes your battery to swell. This also causes the battery to leak highly flammable liquid electrolyte, which is very dangerous.

What voltage will damage a car battery?

All you can do is check the electrolyte and put it on a trickle charger. If this is the first time that it has been discharged, you should be able to fully charge the battery and continue using it, but every time it is discharged below that threshold of 10.5 volts, the damage is done.

Can a bad battery cause an alternator to overcharge?

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. Additionally, an incorrect replacement battery in the vehicle can cause an overcharging condition.

Does a car alternator charge at idle?

The answer is ‘YES’, yes the car battery does charge while the engine is idling. As long as the mechanical action of the alternator is taking place; that is, being turned by the engine crankshaft. Then the alternator is producing AC current, thereby charging the battery while your car is idling.

What causes an alternator to put out too much voltage?

What causes an alternator to put out too much 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 does a lithium battery affect an alternator?

Since lithium batteries have such a low resistance, the lithium battery will take all the charge current the alternator can deliver. This causes the alternator to deliver the max charge current until the battery is fully charged.

What’s the maximum amperage output of an alternator?

The alternator is designed to keep the battery charged to at least 12.55 volts, with a maximum of approximately 14.5 volts. The amperage output is usually listed as the maximum output of the alternator. How do I know if my alternator is draining my battery?

Can a good alternator run over 14.5vdc?

I won’t say a good alternator will “never” charge at 16.5vdc, but keeping it there for any length of time will boil the battery very quickly. Your line of thinking is correct in that a good alternator should be charging in the 14.1-14.5vdc as long as there’s no major load on it.