Alternator / charging question

[timgiles]

Hi all,

I was hoping those that know could cast their eyes over my figures for the voltage at the battery terminals:

____________________Load
Off _______12.55V
Idle ______13.92V ___13.48V
2000rpm __14.80V ___13.60V

My problem is that almost any time I connect up my CTEK 5A Polar battery charger (battery is a 80Ah 800CCA AGM) it will sit there and take 10-14 hrs to charge it. So clearly, it was not being kept charged. I can do this once a week. But, it never runs dry. My battery indicator (fitted a CTEK job inside the car) flashes green when the car is running, reducing to red shortly after turning the car off. Red is 0-25%.

It seems from the values above, that the Load conditions are a little low. Is that right?

What is the best checks or course of action? Replace the regulator? whole alternator.... I should also mention that I have cleaned the ground point, replaced the battery terminal connectors, also keep the to pins nice and clean with battery term. grease. A part of me is thinking, if it has lasted like this through one swedish winter it should last the next. But - I do like things to work as they should rather than wing it.


Thanks in advance

Tim

[nevo]

it seems to me your alternator is working fine from the figures shown,let me ask you a question does she start every morning,forget your gizmo use your ears.

[timgiles]

Yes. But she runs better and feels better with a full charge every week or two...

Sounds like it is something I should let be. Certainly dont want to replace anything expensive, need a new pair of studded tyres for winter, Hakkapeliitta 8's await :-) Thanks for assistance.

[timgiles]

Thought I would provide an update.

Today I decided to switch out the regulator on my 150A Veleo alternator. In case you want to do the same, I found it easiest to :

1. Use a bungy strap to keep tension on the accessory belt
2. Use a 17mm spanner to move the tensioner to a point where I could put a 5mm allen key in to lock it in place
3. Remove the Throttle Body pipe
4. Remove the Throttle Body itself
5. The alternator now can slide straight out. Tight, but no problem.

No need to pull out the front end.

I cleaned the spindle where the two metal brushes come in to contact. The two brushes were partly warn but not completely shot. Put the new regulator on, reassembled. Worked a treat. Much better charging voltages, 14.4 V when idle whether under load or not, (when battery needs charging). Solved the issue I had, AGM battery is holding charge and no longer sits at just 12ish Volts.

If you order the right voltage reg. (I didnt :-() its a quick job and worth doing. As I mentioned, my brushes looked ok (not great - but ok ish) but it still turned out that replacing the unit was the right decision. Cleaning the spindle may also have helped.

[vwcabriolet1971]

Sounds to me like worn brushes - needs brush length checking. I hope the brushes are graphite and not metal !