Alternator output voltage--13.5 volts

USA591 · Postby **USA591** » Fri Feb 03, 2012 12:59 am

Hello Shipmates,

My alternator seems to output about 13.5 volts when the engine is running. Is that normal? I was expecting something closer to 14 to 14.5 volts.

Thanks!

-p

MarkT · Postby **MarkT** » Fri Feb 03, 2012 7:53 pm

I believe that is right on the money. But what engine is it?

ironsinker · Postby **ironsinker** » Wed Feb 15, 2012 10:05 am

I noticed my engine gauge reads lower than 14 volts if my batteries are not completely charged. If the batteries are completely charged, my gauge reads 14.4v at cruise. Not sure why that is. I could be wrong about what I'm seeing, but it seems like thats what's happening.

225 OX66.

USA591 · Postby **USA591** » Wed Feb 15, 2012 5:53 pm

Cool, thanks for the report. Always good to hear what's happening around the fleet.

USA591 · Postby **USA591** » Tue Mar 06, 2012 4:03 am

MarkT - 2/3/2012 3:53 PM

I believe that is right on the money. But what engine is it?

A Volvo Penta 5.7 Gi Duoprop. About 100 hours on the engine.

I've been testing the battery that I can easily reach with my voltmeter and it reads about 12.3 to 12.4 volts after a week or two of disuse and reads 12.7 after running for an hour or two, mostly around 800 rpm (harbor cruising) with five to ten minutes of 3000 rpms.

The battery reads 13.3 to 13.5 with the engine running.

I was a bit paranoid about the engine's charging system, but am feeling much more comfortable now that I've been watching it for a month or two.

Cheers Amigos.

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