How to tell the alt isn't charging the batt

[Boomin_tahoe 5,000+ posts]

I think I might have this happening. I have no amps hooked up and had my radio on for maybe 10 mins and just died. I got a voltage meter and while the engine is running, I noticed that the needle isn't slightly past 14, its about 1 mark before it. Course, I had it running for a few mins. I gotta Optima battery, but the alt appears to be bought from a local auto parts store. I know the only way to test the alt is to take it apart and head down to the auto parts store to have them test it.

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[SPL-Master 10+ year member]

I think I might have this happening. I have no amps hooked up and had my radio on for maybe 10 mins and just died. I got a voltage meter and while the engine is running, I noticed that the needle isn't slightly past 14, its about 1 mark before it. Course, I had it running for a few mins. I gotta Optima battery, but the alt appears to be bought from a local auto parts store. I know the only way to test the alt is to take it apart and head down to the auto parts store to have them test it.

just start it, pull off a batt cable and if it dies you have a bad alt

 

[jco1385 5,000+ posts]

I think I might have this happening. I have no amps hooked up and had my radio on for maybe 10 mins and just died. I got a voltage meter and while the engine is running, I noticed that the needle isn't slightly past 14, its about 1 mark before it. Course, I had it running for a few mins. I gotta Optima battery, but the alt appears to be bought from a local auto parts store. I know the only way to test the alt is to take it apart and head down to the auto parts store to have them test it.

so whats the question here?

 

[TurdFergueson2 5,000+ posts]

I thought they could test it without having to take it off.

 

[jco1385 5,000+ posts]

I thought they could test it without having to take it off.

actually they can. depends on where you go, and what equipment they have.

 

[Boomin_tahoe 5,000+ posts]

just start it, pull off a batt cable and if it dies you have a bad alt

Perfect. I'll give it a try, thnx

 

[TurdFergueson2 5,000+ posts]

actually they can. depends on where you go, and what equipment they have.

Advance Auto parts can check what it's charging at without taking it off.