clare at snyder.on.ca wrote in message
...
On Thu, 13 Sep 2007 23:36:49 -0400, GeoLane at PTD dot NET GeoLane at
PTD dot NET wrote:




I've always just checked the battery and charging system with a VOM.
If it read less than 12 V at rest, the battery was discharged or bad.
When running, if the system didn't read 13-14 V, it wasn't charging.
Will those battery testers tell me something else?

Thanks.

RWL
They will tell you the maximum output of the alternator/generator, as
well as the load capacity of the battery.

To expand: even a near-dead battery can look good with a voltmeter, but will
fail under load.
The same thing holds true for alternators- with a voltmeter, the alternator
may seem to be charging, but in reality is only capable of a few amps of
output.

For as often as they fail, it's cheaper to drag the suspect component to the
local parts store and let them test it.

-Carl (who misses the Sun VAT-40, the best starting/charging system tester
ever made)


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The future isn't what it used to be.