volt meter,ie,alternator

[SJ]

Ok guys Im volt meter challenged.How do I check if my alternator is charging my new battery(keeps going dead).I have a digital voltmeter with numerous selector switches on it(too many to list)that I have no clue what they mean.Cant even understand the directions.Can somebody help me out please?

Thanks
Stan

 

[SJ]

Oh yeah its a Oliver 1550 gas if that matters

 

[guido]

Hello Sj
Set your meter to the 20 volts scale.
Check the voltage at the battery posts and at the battery cables it should be the same reading.You are loking for 14V at 70 degrees F. 13.8 to 14.2 to be excact. if you get 14V the charging system is O.K.
Make sure that the engine is running at least 1/2 throttle.........goog luck!
Guido.

 

[Janicholson]

If it has a V with two lines over it on the dial, it should have one continuous line, and one dashed line. Set it to that. Put the leads in to the following holes: Red into V and Ohms hole, and black into common.
Then touch the battery terminals with it stopped. Should read 12.6v. JimN

 

[SJ]

ok Im gettin 12.5--12.6 volts at the battery at half throttle.bad alt? bad volt reg?

Thanks
Stan

 

[SJ]

Also where do I set selector for house to check an wall outlet.

Thanks
stan

 

[Mike (WA)]

Set it on AC Volts, at the setting next higher than 120 volts (most will be 200 volts, as I recall).

 

[buickanddeere]

Most digital meters are affected by noise from ignition and generator charging systems.
If you set the voltage selection to 200V instead of 20V or what ever. There will be less flickering of the display numbers.
Eg. the display should be reading something like 013.8 instead of 13.821. If you get more than one number to the right of the decimal point. The display gets harder to read.
Make certain you don"t ever get the leads across voltage while on the ohms or amps range. At best an odd sized and tough to find internal fuse will pop. Or you might make the smoke leak out of the meter.
I went and purchased a modest analog meter for measuring in electrically noisy enviroments. Best $49.99 I ever spent.

 

[IH2444]

Yep the alternator or regulator one seems to be bad should be around 14V if it is charging.
12.6 is just strait battery voltage.

 

[Janicholson]

I agree. Self scaling meters are not at their best where RF I, and pulse DC are rampant. Old Hardware. JimN

 

[guido]

Hello SJ.
12.6V is battery voltage with the engine off.
You are not charging the battery at that voltage with the engine running at 1/2 throttle.
It is possible that the battery is not taking the charge.
Can connect another battery in place of that one? if you get the same results it is your charging system.
Guido.