How to test my alternator: SOLUTION
I have a 2003 Holiday Rambler Neptune (Diesel pusher). I just took it for a spin and the "alternator" dash light was coming on intermittently. Not sure if it's a short in the light, or if the alternat...
Forum Discussion
rgatijnet1 wrote:
When testing with a voltmeter, what you are looking for is an increase in voltage above what the voltage is with the engine off.
ANY increase usually indicates that the alternator is OK. A lower than usual charging voltage reading can mean a bad or shorted battery cell, or other battery problem that is dragging the voltage down. An alternator cannot overcome a bad battery and a shorted cell will certainly cause the charging voltage to be low.
Now, you've got me thinking . . . I just had all of my batteries replaced 300 miles away at the last place we were staying. I sure hope one of the new chassis batteries doesn't have a bad cell in it, or something like that.
