
Charging
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The process of checking the charging system operation is as follows.
1. Hand and eye checks (drive belt and other obvious faults) – belt at correct
tension, all connections clean and tight.
2. Check battery (see Chapter 4) – must be 70% charged.
3. Measure supply voltages to alternator – battery volts.
4. Maximum output current (discharge battery slightly by leaving lights on for a
few minutes, leave lights on and start engine) – ammeter should read within
about 10% of rated maximum output.
5. Regulated voltage (ammeter reading 10 A or less) – 14.2 ± 0.2 V.
6. Circuit volt drop – 0.5 V maximum.
If the alternator is found to be defective ...