[FC] Proper Way to Test Alternator

[Jim Davis]

My Autozone "panics" when they see a Corvair style alternator mount; 
especially if it is on a 12 SI alternator.  Fornatuly a fellow Rampside 
owner works the counter at Advance Auto so he is able to cobble a mount 
setup.
Jim Davis

On 5/8/2015 6:46 PM, J. R. Read via Corvanatics wrote:
> Your local FLAPS will test alternators free of charge.  You will 
> probably need to know what vehicle it (originally) came from.
>
> Later, JR
>
> ----- Original Message ----- From: "Kevin Clark kevin--- via 
> Corvanatics" <corvanatics at corvair.org>
> To: "corvanatics group" <corvanatics at corvair.org>
> Sent: Friday, May 08, 2015 6:39 PM
> Subject: [FC] Proper Way to Test Alternator
>
>
>> Hey gang,
>>
>> What is the proper way to test your alternator? The shop manual might 
>> not be helpful since I have an internally regulated alternator 
>> instead of stock generator on my 1964 FC engine.
>>
>> Currently I have one wire plugged in the "R" side of the RF terminal 
>> on the alternator. Here are the steps I think I should do and correct 
>> me along the way:
>>
>> Unplug the battery and engine harness wire from the BATT post on the 
>> alternator.
>>
>> Unplug the one wire plug from the "R" socket from the alternator.
>>
>> Connect a jumper wire from the battery post to the "F" side of the 
>> terminal.
>>
>> Connect a voltmeter from the BATT to the ground.
>> Question here is there is no "GRD" on the alternator. Do I use the 
>> engine frame rail as ground?
>>
>> Run the engine at 1500 RPM for several minutes. What reading should I 
>> get on the voltmeter to determine the state of the alternator?
>>
>> My RetroSound radio quit working and I discovered I wasn't getting 
>> 12volts to the radio. I can rule out the voltage regulator since it 
>> is not in use with the internally regulated alternator. I am getting 
>> 12.44volts from the battery terminal with the engine running. Could 
>> there be another problem involved causing the low voltage?
>>
>> Kevin
>>
>> ------------------------------
>> Kevin G. Clark
>> kevin at kcvairbrush.com
>> www.kcvairbrush.com
>>
>>
>>
>>
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>
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