What output should a generator provide?

zephyrgary · Post by **zephyrgary** » Fri Mar 17, 2017 9:12 pm

I was testing my charging circuit on a car with a generator/dynam. Iknow you get no charge at idle, but at a lope it showed 12.7V. Is that charging? I know an alternator should show 13.5V.
Thanks
Gary

Dave C · Post by **Dave C** » Fri Mar 17, 2017 10:21 pm

a fully charged battery should show 12.5-12.6 volts/
Generator should show a 14.2-14.5 output.
Alternator= same...over about 14.7 you run the chance of boiling the battery.

zephyrgary · Post by **zephyrgary** » Fri Mar 17, 2017 11:48 pm

Thanks Dave, I appreciate the info.
Gary

JAN · Post by **JAN** » Sat Mar 18, 2017 2:15 am

Alternator output voltage is 14.2V +/-0.2V with headlights on. Dynamo amps output is normally a maximum of 21A, although heavy duty dynamos with an output of 25A were available. Since even a low-output alternator will put out 35A this explains why many owners have fitted them.

zephyrgary · Post by **zephyrgary** » Sat Mar 18, 2017 11:24 am

Thanks Jan.