Comments on: Car Repair & Diagnostics : How to Test a Car’s Alternator

By: stankwho

stankwho — Mon, 18 Jan 2010 07:16:12 +0000

the last part..were …
the last part..were did you plug the multimeter after you did the light test on the alternator?

By: STFUNOWlol

STFUNOWlol — Mon, 18 Jan 2010 07:16:12 +0000

If you’re talking …
If you’re talking about 400 watts total, and assuming you have a standard 12 V battery, you’d be talking about a 33 amp draw on your battery. Considering that the cranking amps of a battery are in the hundreds, and the operating amp of a battery are much lower, I would imagine that it would be fine.

By: zillsbury

zillsbury — Mon, 18 Jan 2010 07:16:12 +0000

thanks govna!
thanks govna!

By: youdragon

youdragon — Mon, 18 Jan 2010 07:16:12 +0000

i have a stock gmc …
i have a stock gmc truck think my alt can handle 4 100watt off road lights?

By: angelvoicedee

angelvoicedee — Mon, 18 Jan 2010 07:16:12 +0000

There has been no …
There has been no mention of the exciter feed from the dash light i.e. a blown bulb/ interrupted power supply . Or voltage drop test between the neg battery terminal and the alternator chassis.
Some diesel engines use one of the alternator terminals for the engine rev counter .
This can be a factor to be aware of .

By: roarpony

roarpony — Mon, 18 Jan 2010 07:16:12 +0000

A retard with an …
A retard with an ASE badge on my shirt then. lol I’m not trying to be rude but if you want others to do the right procedures I would recomend you to know the facts. Back in the days you could do that I admit but now it’s all about electrical parts. The deadline for an ASE test is on Sept 30th. I have to redue mine on EP.

By: roarpony

roarpony — Mon, 18 Jan 2010 07:16:12 +0000

The battery acts as …
The battery acts as a buffer and stabilizes any voltage spikes that may cause damage to the vehicles electronics so disconnecting the batt is not a good choice. Do a voltage output and curren output test, a voltage drop test, a full field test if the output test fails. Make sure the batt is fully charged.

By: TBWdracula2003

TBWdracula2003 — Mon, 18 Jan 2010 07:16:12 +0000

do you think any …
do you think any mechanic has an ASE patch on EVERY SINGLE PIECE OF CLOTHING they wear? no. your retarded

By: albrainya

albrainya — Mon, 18 Jan 2010 07:16:12 +0000

JeRkOfF
JeRkOfF

By: tonytiger75

tonytiger75 — Mon, 18 Jan 2010 07:16:12 +0000

An Alternator will …
An Alternator will not motorize and spin with voltage applied to it, only DC generators do that. A car might continue to run with the battery disconnected but if anything upsets the electrical balance, like turning on the headlights, it will shut off, the alternator needs a small amount of battery power to excite and magnetize the windings or it can’t do a thing whereas a generator uses residual magnetism to generate power.