car volts

[shonutt]

does anyone know what the rite voltag of the car is suppose to be my digital gauge reads 14.0 when i start is but as it gets warmer the volts drop to 13.0 and dip to 12.7 .. is this normal or is it a sighn of a bad alternator or bad battery

 

[shosound]

alt is fine. 14 is optimum so that you don't dip below 12 when you turn more and more things on. As long as it doesn't start reading 12v or less often, then i wouldn't worry

 

[SHOZ123]

If it reads under 13V at 1500 rpm it is on it's way out. IMHO

 

[projectSHO89]

If it reads under 13V at 1500 rpm it is on it's way out. IMHO

You're more generous than I am.

Anything under 13.8 means the alternator isn't working.

This alternator is NOT fine, it is failing (assuming your voltmeter is accurate).

Steve

 

[SHOZ123]

Yes I am. The regulator is probably rated at 14.4V or more. They start to drop soon after being put in service and are temperature sensitive giving lower readings with higher temps.

But 13V would be the point where I would look for a new alternator before getting stranded.