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Re: electrical voo doo Posted by Ari [Email] ![]() ![]() In Reply to: electrical voo doo, zomar, Tue, 5 Aug 2003 17:44:24 Members do not see ads below this line. - Help Keep This Site Online - Signup |
Two things that aren't clear.
First, what's the voltage on the battery when the engine is running? If the alternator isn't outputting enough voltage/current, you aren't going to charge the battery. With the engine running, you should be seeing voltages in the 13 volt range. If the battery voltage isn't higher when the engine is running than when it's off, then the alternator isn't working right. The purpose of the battery is to start the car. The purpose of the alternator is to provide for ALL of the car's electrical requirements, AND to replenish the battery charge lost to starting.
Second, how old is the battery? How many times has it been discharged? Car batteries aren't designed to be fully discharged. When a car battery is fully discharged, it loses some capacity and life. Completely discharge even a brand new battery a few times, and you can wreck it. The result would be a battery that can be jumped, and the car start just fine, but it won't hold a charge, even with an ideal alternator. Once running, the alternator is providing the electrical power requirements, and the battery is dead weight.
So (1) make sure the alternator is putting out sufficient voltage to charge a battery and supply the car's electrical load. (2) if the battery has been discharged a few times (or more), think about a new battery.
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