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How do you test an alternator to see if it is producing electricity?

12 Answers

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  • Anonymous
    1 decade ago
    Favorite Answer

    Check the battery voltage with a voltmeter hooked up while the engine is not running. Start the engine and check the voltage. The voltage with the engine running should be about 13.7 to 14.2 volts.

  • 1 decade ago

    The proper way is with a load tester. You can use a voltmeter, but it is only going to tell you how much voltage(pressure) the alternator is putting out and not the actual current (amperage) under load which is more important. Using a voltmeter is only part of it. Take it and have it properly load tested.

    Source(s): Former Mercedes Benz Tech & MB ELITE Graduate.
  • 1 decade ago

    All you have to do is look at your voltmeter in your dash, an alternator will bring the charge of a battery to around 14.5. You can also take your vehicle to a local autoparts store like autozone to get it checked for free. If you have a voltmeter and you know how to use it, that is another way to check. Just remember, the closer to 14.5 is good.

  • pascal
    Lv 4
    4 years ago

    ..... "yet I save getting the examining of 12.67V that is the cost of the battery." No it isn't. that is the voltage which the generator is generating even as loaded with that battery. An unloaded examining, i.e. without the battery suitable, will be a lot larger and ineffective - it tells you not something. Having made that voltage length then you definitely ought to degree the present being dropped on the battery. Your meter, assuming it has a extreme cutting-edge variety, might want to be suitable in sequence with the generator and battery. upon getting a confirm for cutting-edge you multiply it by technique of the voltage you measured. the end result's the capacity, in watts, being despatched to the battery.

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  • 1 decade ago

    Use a voltmeter on the battery terminals. DO NOT remove a cable with the engine running. The spark can ignite the hydrogen gas given off by the battery when it is charging. BOOM!!!

    Source(s): Experience... battery acid in my eyes!
  • Anonymous
    1 decade ago

    A lot of local auto part stores will test the alternator for free. If it is off...just run to the auto part store and get it done.

  • 1 decade ago

    put a volt meter on the terminal that has the small wire and place the other to ground

  • 1 decade ago

    1: take 1 of the battery terminals off when its running and if it still runs its good,

    2: use a volt meter and check the voltage at battery, lower voltage when car off and 13.8 v dc and above and should rise a little bit when revved

  • 1 decade ago

    turn it with a volt meter on the terminals

  • 1 decade ago

    TAKE OFF + BATTERY LEAD WHEN RUNNING IF IT STAYS RUNNING ITS ALL GOOD ......

    SOME TIMES THE BATTERY TERMINAL MAY NEED TO BE CLEANED AFTER CLEANING APPLY A LITTLE GREASE TO THEM ...

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