Can the alternator output be adjusted?

[bbhereiam]

Good evening. I have a Damon ultrasport on a freight liner chassis and having a go with the engine battiers(both bad) replaced with new, but if I recall shouldn't the alternator be putting out roughly 14.2 volts? I have a volt meter and best output ranges from 13.2v to 13.5v loaded or not. Can this alternator be adjusted on the vehicle? (Cummins 5.9 ISB 2000)

[GOLDWINGER2]

13.1-13.7 is the norm. Most systems don't run above that.
J

[autofish]

Most alts are temp. compensating so as temp. goes down voltage goes up. will have to be really cold like -0 deg F to get up to the 14 volt range. So what your reading 13.5 v is ok in normal heat. Hope this helps.

[wa8yxm]

Adjustment depends on the alternator. Some can be adjusted, some can not. And as for yours.. I truly do not know.

[Gary RVRoamer]

Where are you measuring the voltage? Right at the alternator, or at the batteries? And if battery, House or Chassis? The isolator electronics often has a voltage drop, sometimes as much as 0.5v, so that can make a big difference.

I disagree with Goldwinger - in my experience most automotive engine alternators put out between 13.6 and 14.2 volts.

[GOLDWINGER2]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gary RVRoamer Where are you measuring the voltage? Right at the alternator, or at the batteries? And if battery, House or Chassis? The isolator electronics often has a voltage drop, sometimes as much as 0.5v, so that can make a big difference. I disagree with Goldwinger - in my experience most automotive engine alternators put out between 13.6 and 14.2 volts.

Only when my batts are down do I see 14.2 v., when they come back up I'm only at 12.9. When I turn on dash air the volts will go up. No need to
run 13.6 and up when batts are charged and no heavy accessories are on.
This is measured at the battery.
J

[bachler]

This is an interesting post;;;; One question,, Please don't guess.... If a battery/batteries are Sulfated and at full charge they only read 12.3 volts, now i put my meter on the out put generator side. It is susposto charge 14.4 .now it is hooked up to the Battery/batteries running at proper RPM. will it read moreVoltage then the battery is capeable of taking ?? or will it read the same as the battery. ?? If there is a differance, Of voltage Say the alt/gen. puts out 14.5 the battery takes only 12.3 Were is the voltage going to ??? Before you answer think it througt ,, It's decieving, Because the voltage can't just dissapier !! or can it??? halloween, OH.. Life is good;