HOW MANY VOLTS SHOULD AN ALTERNATOR PUT OUT?

[70 Grand Coupe]

My battery keeps going dead on my 70 Barracuda with a 318/904TF. The original alternator was putting out 11.3V and my battery was constantly needing to be charged. So an new batter and a new 60 amp alternator it was. The alternator had a dyno sheet that showed it was putting out between 14.2-16 V. After installing it I checked it with my volt meter and it was putting out 14.6V. After about 10 minutes of running with all my lights, 4 ways and heater blower on high, it was down to 11.6V.

Today I checked and its putting out 11.3 - 11.9V. I checked the alternator with (2) separate CHARGING SYSTEM TESTERS which both indicated that the alternator was faulting. Can this be? Its brand new and was $310 Canadian Pesos! 

How many volts should this 60A alternator be putting out?


Regards,

Darcy

 

[roadman5312]

             13.8 to 14.2  . Did you replace the regulator at the same time ?  And make sure regulator is grounded good.

[1 Wild R/T]

This is a trick question... The alternator can put out allot more volts than you think... In some applications the automobiles alternator can be isolated from the vehicle & full fielded... This is normally done on a vehicle with a windshield deice system... The alternator used is a standard alternator but because it's full fielded & isolated it can send 150+ volts to the windshield....  It's the voltage regulator that controls how many volts you see.... And it sounds like you need to look at your voltage regulator and/or your wiring....