having a dumb moment, 12 volts from running small bock ?

[jeffz0rz]

i think im supposed to be getting 14 .3 volts or something like that, my gauge is only telling me 12. its a small block chevy in front of a 290 volvo. engine starts like a champ every time. i would have though that after a few starts, with a bad alternator, the battery would start to die. am i missing something ?

 

[jerryjerry05]

Re: having a dumb moment, 12 volts from running small bock ?

Get a second guage.Then test the alternator.
It would take a while to kill a completly charged battery.

 

[Maclin]

Re: having a dumb moment, 12 volts from running small bock ?

Note the voltage reading with key on and engine not running. Then start it and see what it does. Increase RPM's slightly from idle and see what it does. If the reading goes up when the engine is running and when RPM's are increased then that is a pretty good indicator the alternator is still working ok. Mine usually hangs out right at 12 volts when idling then increases to 13 or so from what I can tell from my old gauge. With just the key on it is just below the 12 mark.