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Big DW 08-01-2002, 09:20 PM I can drive my cruiser as long and as much as I want...day or night...and it will start right up...only problem...my voltmeter only shows 11 volts while running...slightly less when the lights are on...I should have close to 14 volts, right? What's going on here? Thanks ROCK HUGGER 08-01-2002, 09:45 PM Sounds like your alternator is not charging, or your volt meter is bad. Big DW 08-01-2002, 10:06 PM both alt and meter are brand new? I suspect that it is the 30 year old wiring... coyote 08-02-2002, 08:14 AM What's the amp meter read? Voltmeter's are purely for display purposes only, I use one on mine just to ensure that when I have the engine off I know how far I drop my batteries while winching or playing the radio....could just be a bad conection or like you said...dry rot climbermike 08-02-2002, 08:36 AM :flipoff2: Sounds like your wires have a case of crotch rot :flipoff2: yoda 08-02-2002, 09:21 AM Hi Dave, Do you know what the voltage is at the battery (while at abt 1500 rpm) and at the battery stud on the alternator? Use a reliable hand held meter. Hand you confirmed the voltmeter you have installed is accurate? What is your charging system? All OEM, V8 conversion, big a$$ alternator, or ??. My alternator (100 amp) on a V8 conversion is wired directly to the battery through an 8 GA wire (because it puts out more than the OEM wiring or ammeter can handle). I wired a voltmeter to the accy fuse to monitor the charging. Because I have old wiring, it does show lower voltage than at the battery. It gets lower the more accy's I use. It is called VD (voltage drop). I have thought of using a relay to send the power from the battery to the voltmeter to get an accurate battery reading. David | |