Re: voltage dropping... dropping...

["Christian Els" <tiAn@usiw.net>]

FWIW, in my '82 Cabby the voltmeter maxes at 11.5V and shows closer to 10V
with the windshield wipers on, by the gage in the console.

A multimeter tapped across the battery or alternator terminals shows actual
voltage to be closer to 14V unloaded and 12.5V with accessories drawing
power.

This makes sense to me since I have a fairly recent 90A alternator and
mostly redone wiring under the hood but not inside under the dash to the
gages.

My point being, make sure there's really a problem before you go fixing a
problem.

Cheers,

Christian Els
1987 Scirocco 16V
1982 Cabby



----- Original Message -----
From: "Scott Williams" <scwillia@genuity.com>
To: "T Berk" <tberk@mindspring.com>
Cc: "Scirocco List" <scirocco-l@scirocco.org>
Sent: Thursday, 06 December, 2001 11:32
Subject: RE: voltage dropping... dropping...


> > Well, since the run is long, voltage drop is a question. What size gauge
> > cable you using?
>
> I'm using 12 guage, I think? It came with a kit from Hella. It is the same
> stuff that I used in the Warpig without any problem, in fact. The ends are
> premade and mighty sturdy.
>
> > In the mean time I would clamp a jumper cable from the NEG. battery post
> > to some good clean metal in the back and be sure the CASE of the Alt has
> > a good connection to the frame up front.
>
> Will do.
>
> > Sounds like the voltage reg. in the Alt isn't up to snuff, that it might
> > have been strained and is going out.
>
> Could a bad ground strain it? Perhaps I should rerun that ground cable all
> the way to the front of the car...
>
> > 10v will get you home (without using the lights) but during the day you
> > should undo the battery from one post, and hopefully recharge it a bit
> > (trickle, not fast).
>
> Well, 'tis a good thing that I have that kill switch mounted in the dash,
> eh? This contraption had better get me home tonight (with headlights on)
or
> I won't have any opportunity to recharge it. (sigh)
> ______________________________
> Scott F. Williams
> Account Manager
> GENUiTY - Eastern Region
> 100 Wall Street, 10th Floor
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>
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