<VV> RE:> VDO Gauges-charging system

[Vairjer at cs.com]

snip>my newly installed voltmeter, my gauge readings about 90% of the time 
would read very close to 15 volts whether cruising or idling,lites,fan,stereo on 
or off. The other 10% of the time it reads about 13 volts. <

The voltage regulator used for Delcotrons was designed to provide between 
13.8 to 14.8 volts and the internal regulator was temperature compensated to 
provide a variable charging voltage for a cold vs a hot battery.  It is normal for 
the voltage to be higher initially than after "warmup".  You did not say 
(that I noted) where you were measuring the voltage with the gage, or whether you 
installed the "one wire" type of alternator or had used a "sense" wire to 
compensate for any voltage drop.  Not knowing the resolution/accuracy of your VDO 
gage or the point at which you are measuring, the numbers you report are 
reasonable and typical of the charging system.

Jerry McKenzie
(former test engineer Delco Remy)