Workhorse voltage regulator

[rick_od]

I was having a problem with 2 of my inverters (same make and model) and tested the voltage at the batteries with the engine running. It was 15 VDC. I thought this sounded kind of high and it is giving my inverters some trouble. Where is the Workhorse voltage regulator and is it adjustable ?? My Actia display says 14.1 with the engine running. Any help would be appreciated.

[rick_od]

I was having a problem with 2 of my inverters (same make and model) and tested the voltage at the batteries with the engine running. It was 15 VDC. I thought this sounded kind of high and it is giving my inverters some trouble. Where is the Workhorse voltage regulator and is it adjustable ?? My Actia display says 14.1 with the engine running. Any help would be appreciated.

[bruceh]

If one display is showing 14.1 volts (which is OK) and another shows 15 (you'r right, it's too high), I have to wonder how the 15 was measured. Do you have a decent DVM?

What inverter problem are you trying to solve?

[cannon man]

reg is inside alt. not adjustable. use a known good dig. meeter at the batts. i had 14.6 to 14.8 and the batts were gassing badly. 14.1 or 14.2 is good. could'nt get w/h to fix it. take alt to good auto electric shop. also my display was showing 14.1. the displays are not good. good luck dave

[Bob (WA0MQE)]

I had the same problem a couple years ago. Originally the Dash voltmeter showed 14.2 then later it started displaying 15.0 and higher. I took it to a Workhorse Service Center and it was the built-in regulator so they replaced the alternator. It's been showing the original 14.2 give or take a 10th.

[TandW]

For engines that stall or alternators that perform poorly, servicing the ground strap is often all that is necessary. Consider it a first check. Good luck!!

[rick_od]

It is a Fluke True RMS meter and the voltage was tested at the battery and read 15Vdc. The Actia display reads 14.2(+/- .1)
The problem with the inverter is this. First, they are cheap, over the counter 400 watt inverters. It seems that they will produce 115Vac without the engine running as they are connected to the coach batteries that float at 13.2Vdc. When the engine starts, through a solenoid, my chassis and coach batteries are connected and now getting 15Vdc. With the increase in Vdc to 15, the inverter lowers it's AC output to 105Vac. I thought that if I could lower the alternator output a little, I could keep from cooking my batteries while driving and get better output from my inverters.

[bruceh]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by rick_od:
It is a Fluke True RMS meter and the voltage was tested at the battery and read 15Vdc. The Actia display reads 14.2(+/- .1)
The problem with the inverter is this. First, they are cheap, over the counter 400 watt inverters. It seems that they will produce 115Vac without the engine running as they are connected to the coach batteries that float at 13.2Vdc. When the engine starts, through a solenoid, my chassis and coach batteries are connected and now getting 15Vdc. With the increase in Vdc to 15, the inverter lowers it's AC output to 105Vac. I thought that if I could lower the alternator output a little, I could keep from cooking my batteries while driving and get better output from my inverters. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

Now you have me wondering. I have cheap inverters also but I have never measured the AC output voltage.

I will check the voltage when I get it back from the dealer.

[skitime]

My alternator was running at 15 volts. I took it to a Workhorse service facility and they replaced the alternator under warranty. After that the voltage was 15.2. I complained and they said I should be happy it puts out that much. I did not believe them or appreciate the comment. Now the warranty ran out so I am stuck with it. I installed a Blue Sea Battery Link ACR so I could control the voltage to the RV batteries. That works great.

[rick_od]

skitime,
I was afraid of getting the same results you had when you replaced your alternator. I am currently looking for a good voltage regulator that I could install.

[skitime]

That is what the Blue Sea Battery Link ACR is doing. You can adjust the voltage you need depending on the type of batteries you have.

[hamguy]

I have been concerned with my alternator output since day one. I will save the story about the hassles and begin with today.

I have a CW cigar lighter plug in voltmeter. I find it reads about 0.5VDC high. OK, I can subtract 1/2 volt from the readings.

While running on the road, it reads up to 14.7 (corrected and verified by a very accurate commercial DVM).

Now an alternator should put out the voltage necessary to drive the current necessary to keep the battery system charged. Remember, the alternator charges ALL batteries (on my Itasca Suncruiser), including the house and engine batteries.

When I am on shore power, my converter (PD9160) puts out the exact voltages stated in the manual so no problems there.

But, I do have to add a small amount (one oz.) of water to each cell every couple weeks. Not a problem as long as I remember to do it.