Quote:
Originally Posted by 70STOVEBOLT
At the alternator, with the engine idling, it is putting out 13.56 volts. At the battery with the engine idling it is 13.5 volts.
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Have you tested it at higher engine speeds? And if so, does the voltage go any higher?
A "12 volt" lead-acid battery won't start to charge until the voltage gets up into the 13.6 to 13.8 V range. Even then the charging rate will be rather low and probably won't register very high on the stock battery gauge. For a safe and reasonable rate of charge you'll want to see the alternator output in the 14.2 to 14.5 V range.
Your 13.56 / 13.5 V readings might simply be due to the fact that they were measured at idle speed. It's not uncommon for the alternator output to drop off at low rpm's. Try revving the engine up a little and see if the voltage increases.