1971 Ford 2000 Gas, 3 cyl
Installed a new voltage regulator because battery was not charging, generator tested OK. Afterward, I checked the voltage at the battery, which appeared high at over 16 volts, around 1.500 RPMs. Put a slow charge on the battery to full charge, then tested as specified in my manual, at the output terminal for the in-dash warning lamp, where I obtained a reading around 13.5 volts. I again checked the voltage at the battery, still at 16 volts.
I intend to adjust the regulator to get the voltage at the battery down, but it may drop it below spec for the warning lamp test. I'm just curious why the manual is silent on checking the charging voltage at the battery, specifying the warning lamp instead, with acceptable values there of 14.3 to 15.5V, depending on temperature. Thanks for any feedback.
Installed a new voltage regulator because battery was not charging, generator tested OK. Afterward, I checked the voltage at the battery, which appeared high at over 16 volts, around 1.500 RPMs. Put a slow charge on the battery to full charge, then tested as specified in my manual, at the output terminal for the in-dash warning lamp, where I obtained a reading around 13.5 volts. I again checked the voltage at the battery, still at 16 volts.
I intend to adjust the regulator to get the voltage at the battery down, but it may drop it below spec for the warning lamp test. I'm just curious why the manual is silent on checking the charging voltage at the battery, specifying the warning lamp instead, with acceptable values there of 14.3 to 15.5V, depending on temperature. Thanks for any feedback.