barely charging

[bigredball90]

My alternater is not able to give my battery enough charge for some reason. I just put a new battery in and a new alternater. All of the wires are hooked up tightly cleany and correctly but its still sitting around 2-3 volts. Any ideas??

[Roadrunner351w]

I had a simliar problem after replacing the battery and alternator I also had to replace the voltage regulator. It was also bad. So you might wanna check that
I ended up doing the 3g alternator upgrade explained in another post in this Catagory. Mine still wasn't charging enough for the load I had on it. After the 130 Amp alternator upgrade everything works very nicely now I keep a constant 14.4 Volts with no load and 13.9 volts with a full load. Again check the voltage regulator.

[fordman]

yes try another regulator. or try adjusting the one you have if its the old adjustable type.

[bigredball90]

alright I had a fealling about that I have two parts trucks so ill try those thanks for the help!!

[bigredball90]

alright I changed these three things pictured I beleive the big boxy looking one is the voltage regulator?? But it still is not charging I have another one from the ranger I could use but am wondering if there is anything else that has to deal with the battery charging. Its still sitting at 2-3 volts. Ive checked all the connections that I know about and there all ok as well. I also changed the belt and it is as tight as I can get it and is not slipping.
Thanks

[fordman]

how are you checkign the charge on it? maybe it went bad or has a bad connection when your testing. it could be a inline fuse bside the solinoid that is bad also.

[peanutman]

Maybe a bad alt from the parts store . I would also get an electronic regulator. They seem to be more reliable

[bigredball90]

ok i just did the unplug the regulator test and the alt light went out I dont know if thats because it didnt have power or if that is what is wrong with it. Whats and electronic regulator, and where is the fuse. Thanks for the help so far because im electronically handicapped.

[peanutman]

ok i just did the unplug the regulator test and the alt light went out I dont know if thats because it didnt have power or if that is what is wrong with it. Whats and electronic regulator, and where is the fuse. Thanks for the help so far because im electronically handicapped.

Not sure what the unplug test is If you unplug your regulator, alt will i think stop charging correctly. What i meant by electronic reg is just that. In the pic that looks like a electronic reg hard to tell at that angle. Electronic usally has a short cover and a manual a tall cover.

A electronic reg is solid state, no moving parts. You can get them at the parts store as a direct replacement for your old style. I also ask if you had new alt checked to make sure it is not bad. It's probably a rebuilt-sometimes they come back not rebuilt or bad, if in doubt pull it off and take it to store you bought it and have it checked. If you can't figure it out pm (Thunderfoot) he is the resident electrial guru, he can help you.

[fordman]

the picture you have posted of the regulator is a electronic regulator. the fuse i was talking about if you have it. is on the fender well right around the solinod area. it is either a red or yellow wire. or both you could have two of them. you can have you alt and reg tested at the parts store to see if they are working before you buy another one. i have a pile of these things. they are all good. i have never seen one go bad yet. alt or regulators. i have both the adjustable types and the electronic types. i would not trust that light. it measures the voltage between the bat and the alt output. if the alt output is less than the bat charge then the light comes on.

[Thunderfoot]

Couple of questions...

Where are you measuring the 2-3 Volts at are you using a volt meter (multi-meter) to check it with?

If you have a volt meter check that the "Bat" connection at the back of the alternator has 12V even with the motor off. There is a fusible link in the wire from the alternator "Bat" to the starter solenoid connection on the battery side, it could have blown if you don't have voltage at the alternator. If you don't have a volt meter and have a Test Light check the "Bat" terminal for power with the engine off to check this wire.

[bigredball90]

It has an after market gauge... but dont know how well it works. I got a circuit tester set today that does 6/12 volt readings but i dont think that is right. What kind of tool should I be looking for. The "bat" terminal is the big one right? Sorry im a complete noob when it comes to electrical stuff.

[bigredball90]

Ok im going to get the meter thing tomorrow, and I have the light thing already. When I test should I do it with the motor running or off?
Thanks for the help!
Luke

[Thunderfoot]

For the test I mentioned above of the "Bat" terminal on the back of the alternator, do it with the motor OFF (much safer). All you're check for is that the wire has voltage on it, which should indicate that the fusible link is good in that wire from there to where it makes connection with the battery cable at the starter solenoid.

When you get the meter, check the battery voltage with the motor off and then check it with the motor running and see if there is a difference and note what it is.

[fordman]

walmart has those digital testers for about 15.00 and they have the neddle testers insted of digital for 10.00.