Am I testing my alternator wrong?

[ForceEdge 10+ year member]

I just bought a Klein tools CL2000 amp clamp meter to test the amperage coming from my alternator. Set it to DC, put the power wire from my alternator to battery in the clamp and all it's reading is 6.8 amps.. Which is impossible because my alternators a 320 amp spx I from dc power. What could I be doing wrong?

Video

Amperage - YouTube

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[ramos 5,000+ posts]

can't watch your video yet, but. But i'm guessing you started the car and it was at idle? Idle output won't be anywhere near 320 amps.

 

[ForceEdge 10+ year member]

can't watch your video yet, but. But i'm guessing you started the car and it was at idle? Idle output won't be anywhere near 320 amps.

It's reading like 13 amperage

Watch video

 

[ramos 5,000+ posts]

can't bro, I'm at work.

 

[ramos 5,000+ posts]

try clamping your power wire feeding your amp ( while it's powered on) and see what reading you get.

 

[ForceEdge 10+ year member]

try clamping your power wire feeding your amp ( while it's powered on) and see what reading you get.

Is the reason why it's not giving me around a 300 amperage reading on it because I don't have a 300 amp load on it? Only reaso. Why I'm testing is because my voltage drops to 13.7-13.9 with only a 1600rms system with a 320 amp alt.. Something's wrong here.

 

[hispls 5,000+ posts]

LOL. Aternator won't put out much current until you demand that current from it.

 

[ramos 5,000+ posts]

Is the reason why it's not giving me around a 300 amperage reading on it because I don't have a 300 amp load on it? Only reaso. Why I'm testing is because my voltage drops to 13.7-13.9 with only a 1600rms system with a 320 amp alt.. Something's wrong here.

Yeah, it's not going to dump power for no reason. I'm guessing you have a regulator. that regulator controls that very function. more demand = more current output . less demand = less current output.

 

[shrowihr 10+ year member]

What kind and how many batteries do you have? are you seeing any belt slipage?

 

[bhsdriller 10+ year member]

didn't watch the video, but try playing your music full tilt and see what it reads

 

[ForceEdge 10+ year member]

LOL. Aternator won't put out much current until you demand that current from it.

Okay figured that out. So there has to be a load on the alt. I'm running 1600rms so that's about 111 amps from my alt?

Only reason I'm testing is because my volts drop to 13.7-13.9 and I feel it shouldn't be dropping that much with a 320 amp alt at 2k rpm

 

[dbeez 5,000+ posts]

111amps just from that then your car cqn pull up to 120 amps on its own for its electrical system

 

[hispls 5,000+ posts]

didn't watch the video, but try playing your music full tilt and see what it reads

This is somewhat more logical Still discounts the fact that your amp is probably running most efficiently on your loudest song.

Okay figured that out. So there has to be a load on the alt. I'm running 1600rms so that's about 111 amps from my alt?Only reason I'm testing is because my volts drop to 13.7-13.9 and I feel it shouldn't be dropping that much with a 320 amp alt at 2k rpm

Odds are your alternator is rated cold and at a certain RMP. If you distrust what it's "rated" take it to a mechanic or parts store to have it load tested. Without doing a little more testing you're not going to set up a perfect world scenario where your amp is demanding max power.

 

[ForceEdge 10+ year member]

This is somewhat more logical Still discounts the fact that your amp is probably running most efficiently on your loudest song.


Odds are your alternator is rated cold and at a certain RMP. If you distrust what it's "rated" take it to a mechanic or parts store to have it load tested. Without doing a little more testing you're not going to set up a perfect world scenario where your amp is demanding max power.

Heated its rated at 290amps which is still PLENTY to run only my 1600rms system. Why does my voltage drop to 13.7-13.9 full tilt?

 

[dbeez 5,000+ posts]

It drops to that at idle correct