15.15 volts

[idontwant1 10+ year member]

just installed my new alternator on my lincoln and with my voltmeter hooked up its reading 15.15 volts. should i be alarmed the cars a 75 so it has no computers or electronics just my alpine hu and amps and stuff ....also i get 13.8 volts at the battery car off

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[nosaj070 10+ year member]

Thats really interesting...i know most car batteries are 12v, and nothing more. But i believe there are higher current ones, which you may have. It also is possible for an alternator to put out that much, it also helps not having any loads drawn from the cars onboard components. But i think if none of hte above apply to you, maybe do you have the multimeter on the wrong setting?

 

[n2audio 5,000+ posts]

I would guess that it's just an inaccuracy in the meter since both measurements are unusually high.

 

[idontwant1 10+ year member]

im going to get another meter later but i think this ones good ...

 

[helotaxi 5,000+ posts]

With no load and a freshly charged battery, 13.8 volts is not uncommon. For the alternator, it sound like your voltage regulator might be off but under a no load condition it could run a bit higher as well.

 

[idontwant1 10+ year member]

i found my other tester so ill try it again and ill try it with the headlights on ill report back im a few

 

[idontwant1 10+ year member]

i just treid my other tester and it gave me readings im more familliar with .....imagine that i have a digital tester thats off that much ....

 

[helotaxi 5,000+ posts]

Did you try both testers with the headlights on? Just curious.

 

[idontwant1 10+ year member]

i didnt try either with the lights on

 

[95RAM 10+ year member]

why is it because a battery says 12 volts they assume that it must have 12 and only 12 volts?