Simple alternator question

Mark,

13.6 volts is fine. Basically the battery is at 12 volts, if you see anything over 12 volts while the truck is running the alternator is working.

I would consider anything > 13.0 volts to be fine.

anything < 13.0 volts would be of concern.

my statement using the words anything are misleading.

somewhere between 13.0 volts and no greater than aroud 14.0 volts would be acceptable.

Thanks for the help. It is appreciated. mark

THis is too general. Altenators are tempature compensated and the output voltage will vary with case temp. In winter time it is not unusual to set it well above 14 volts at times. On a hot day after it has been running for a while, it could be from 13 to 13.6 volts but not 14 because that could lead to short battery life in a hot climate. Measure voltage at battery too not alt as most alts have remote sensing somewhere in the wiring buss at main distribution for voltage regulation too so it can vary some at battery some under heavy load.

I understand you response, in the summer time expect a little lower voltage and in winter expect a little more... I guess we will have to wait till winter to see what it does. Luckily they can be changed in 5 min or so.

Thanks for the response, mark