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Originally Posted by P.E.Haiges
Sorin,
Easy alternator test is a voltage check. You should read about 14.5 volts when the engine is running high idle or faster.
P E H
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I would suggest that the alternator voltage should be between 13.6V and 14.0V on a fully charged battery depending on load and engine speed.
As the alternator charges (from a cold start) the voltage may reach up to 15.0V, but should never exceed that voltage for more than a second or two at the most. The voltage should then drop back to the 13.6 - 14.0V range.
An alternator which consistently has an output of 14.5V after recharging the battery will "cook" the battery.
Please remember that the battery is important to the alternator, to moderate the output and allow the regulator to operate correctly. DO NOT OPERATE THE ENGINE UNLESS THE BATTERY IS CONNECTED. The alternator and most other electronic devices in the vehicle WILL BE DAMAGED.