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Old 19-12-2010, 22:41   #1
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Sixteen Volts from My Alternator

The volts from my alternator are going as high as 16v and then drop to 14v then back up again. Has anyone any idea what the problem is?
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Old 19-12-2010, 23:53   #2
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Sounds like you have lost your voltage sensoring wire or a loose connection of same on your regulator / alternator.
16 volts is what I get if I open circuit the reg.
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Old 20-12-2010, 01:23   #3
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Could also be your voltage regulator is shot.
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Old 24-12-2010, 13:03   #4
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16v means a regulator failure FOR CERTAIN. Since most "12 volt" devices are only designed to take 14.4 volts-15v as a maximum supply, you might want to get that fixed very quickly, and meanwhile, don't run any electronics or lights when that alternator is running. If you have AGM batteries--that can also cook them.
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Old 24-12-2010, 14:14   #5
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if you have gels, they are already shot by the time you read this. If you have an external regulator like the balmar 612, look at the extended readout to see what the regulator target voltage is and what it thinks the battey voltage is.
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Old 24-12-2010, 14:24   #6
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The last possibility is your meter needs to be recalibrated. Most of the electrical panel analog meters have adjustments and need it frequently. Start with a good digital multimeter and validate the device used to measure the voltage. The remarks above related to 16 volts are quite accurate. Very bad. It will cost serious money left unattended.
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Old 27-12-2010, 13:09   #7
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I have a couple of DVM's so I am sure of the volts. I just bought a balmar arh from eBay and I am going to remove the old regulator
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Old 27-01-2011, 11:01   #8
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Ok,after a lot of hassle I purchase a new balmar alternator, a 622-110,which is a 110 amps max. I had to get it machined to fit the mount as well as the pulley( I have a Volvo MD17c). I also fitted a new balmar ARS regulator. Hell, it did not work at the testing stage, so after quite a while on the phone to Balmar, the were very helpful, they decided that the regulator is faulty and suggested the use of a ford single stage regulator as a temporary solution.. That I did, it only cost 25 bucks. Now my system works fine, charging at about 14.4 volts. Blamar has given me a ra number to repair the faulty unit. But the for unit will stay on the boat as a standby. Incidentally the ford unit and the balmar are basically plug compatible with only the ground wire needing re-routing.
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