Alternator Charge

[gav_vx_man Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close gav_vx_man]

Hey there, does anyone know what voltage their alternator runs at on idle in drive with the headlights and air con on
Cause i cleaned out my alternator cause my redarc keeps cutting in and out due to the voltage from the alternator low at idle
and just wondering what other cars rev at on idle in drive
help please

[xlr8_87 Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close xlr8_87]

Re: Alternator Charge

Mine's at about 12.6V when idling with aircon. Upto over 14V when driving.

[off2flex Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close off2flex]

Re: Alternator Charge

Alternator charge rate shouldnt drop down below 13.5volts on load or else you have a problem.... Above 14volts is more ideal but with all the acc.. with install in our 4wds, anything above 13.5 volts would be acceptable...

[xlr8_87 Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close xlr8_87]

Re: Alternator Charge

Yep I made a mistake when I said 12.6V, wasn't thinking properly. Shows 12.6V when the engines just turned off. When idling say at the lights with aircon and stereo on I have around 14. It slowly drops down to about 13.6 but that takes a fair while when the cars running...

[LeighW Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close LeighW]

Re: Alternator Charge

Hi,

If you wish to increase the Alternator output voltage a little to stop the
redarc cylcing you can read about my Alternator Voltage Booster
in the 120 electrical forum.

Cheers

LeighW

[aza Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close aza]

Re: Alternator Charge

when i start my prado i get 14.3v then when it warms up it sits anywhere from 13.8 -14.2v

[Derb Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Derb]

Re: Alternator Charge

Hi Fellas. To anyone still interested in alternator voltage norm's.(Alternator 215,000 km never been touched, battery N70 3 years old) My Prado (1KZ-TE) battery reads 12.6v stone cold in morning before start-up. (this after coming home late at night with 3/4 hour highway driving) 14.17v immediately after start-up with engine idling. 14.2v with engine at anywhere between 1200 - 2000 RPM with all lights and accessories maxed out. I have fitted good fat (and I mean starter cable fat) earth cables from battery to block under alternator, head above compressor, body behind LH headlamp and body above fuse panel on RH side. Talk about fast starter turnover speed and good lights Trev! If I was to run a fridge down back I would also run a bloody big earth down there. Can never have too much copper brother. Cheers, Derb.

[drivesafe Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close drivesafe]

Re: Alternator Charge

Hi Derb and a great bit of feedback.

Do you know what is the size of your alternator to cranking battery cable is?

[Derb Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Derb]

Re: Alternator Charge

Hi drivesafe. Alternator to battery cable is stock as fitted ex - Toyota. I haven't fitted a larger alternator, have no voltage drop and the cable does not get hot so no point in going larger. (if it ain't broke - don't fix it) If I decided to upsize, yeah I would then have a look at it. It is probably time I did the brushes and bearings though. Cheers.