LivewireBlanco
Well-Known Member
So I've noticed my '71 Dart isn't charging at idle. It isn't until I'm above 1000 rpm that I'm charging at 14 volts. Is this a voltage regulator or alternator issue?
750 rpm in gear, 900 in park. It's not charging at that rpm. I'll show 12.5 volts and if it's sitting idling for a while it'll go down to 12.Sounds normal to me, what is your idle set to?
No, it's been doing this for as long as I' e had it running. Ever since you helped me install a relay to help with my voltage drop issue through the bulkhead. The alternator is a rebuilt one from autozone less than a year old.Put a meter on the battery and slowly bring off idle. See what/ when it comes up. Could be a number of things.......poorly rebuilt alternator, dirty slip rings/ poor/ worn brushes, someone may have put a larger pulley on the alternator, on and on. Alternator could have internal problems, bad stator or diodes, or even a partially shorted rotor
Did this just start happening, or what?
Does it die if left idling for too long?I run around 12 volts at idle too on my cars, one with FITech. I don't think you have an issue. All of my cars have volt gauges.
Does it die if left idling for too long?
Frankly most of us lived with it and didn't give it much thought.
The alternator is a rebuilt one from autozone less than a year old.
So I've noticed my '71 Dart isn't charging at idle. It isn't until I'm above 1000 rpm that I'm charging at 14 volts. Is this a voltage regulator or alternator issue?
About 1100 rpm is when it gets up to 14 volts using an aftermarket volt gauge installed. It's never died on me but it's gotten to about 11.9 before at night with lights on. I guess I'll keep an eye on it. If not I'll swap out the alternator since it's a lifetime warranty. It's a square back model.If its dropping from 12.5 to 12.0 Volts then the battery is discharging.
That's a little different than not charging.
Is there anything drawing power on your setup other than ignition?
At what rpm does the system voltage start to rise above battery voltage?
Here's the part that makes it hard to judge. We don't know whether the battery is charging or not.* If this right after starting, it certainly is charging and that could be sucking a bunch of power. Once the battery is fully charged, then the only thing drawing power is ignition and field.About 1100 rpm is when it gets up to 14 volts using an aftermarket volt gauge installed. It's never died on me but it's gotten to about 11.9 before at night with lights on. I guess I'll keep an eye on it. If not I'll swap out the alternator since it's a lifetime warranty. It's a square back model.