What is the alternator supposed to charge at?

[yoni]

Hey guys

so I'm thinking my alternator is overcharging (~14.8 )

what is the alternator supposed to be charging at? (the is for a 325ix)

Thanks guys

[yoni]

Come on...

you guys know this

[NC325iC]

mine stays in the 13.5 range

[yoni]

can anyone else confirm what theyre alternators charge at?

or if anyone knows what they're supposed to charge at - fantastic.

[SpecM]

should be 13.5-14.5

14.8 is a little high

[yoni]

anything i can do to correct this problem?

or is a new alternator in order...?

[SpecM]

the only worry I can think of is damage to the battery

have it checked

[StereoInstaller1]

What are you metering with, and at what RPM?

[robspeed325i]

should be 14.4 max. the regulator is all you would need, and its only about $30 at autohausaz.com

[george graves]

14.8-14.5=0.3 volts. Multimeters can easily be off that much.

[robspeed325i]

14.8-14.5=0.3 volts. Multimeters can easily be off that much.

true...

[yoni]

so what is the general concensus?

to just leave it be..?

i'll get it checked again, and see what it reads..

[twistednut]

test it with a Fluke meter.

[StereoInstaller1]

so what is the general concensus?

to just leave it be..?

i'll get it checked again, and see what it reads..

My specific consensus is that more data is needed.

A DVM is adequate, but what RPM and what conditions? 14.8 is a bit high, but nothing to worry about. Most alternators charge best just over idle to about 2500 RPM.

[SpecM]

alos, what kind of load did you have on the alternater? That effects it too