where to get my HO alt benched?

[IgnoreMe 5,000+ posts]

just wondering if there are any places that do this?

i checked both kregan and autozone and neither one had any amperage readings.

i went to another kreagan and asked the girl there if they would give amperage readings and she said "i think so. i think there is a pass/fail screen and if you go deeper into the menu you can get an amperage reading" but i only have 1 car which means i would have to walk with alt in hand to the store. and i dont wanna do this more than once lol. anyone know for a FACT which stores will do an amperage benchtest? hoping to give people, as well as myself, an idea of how the mean green ho alts perform.

thanks

George

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[phyphoestilic 5,000+ posts]

Yup, I'd love to know. I know autozone did the pass/fail thing. But it also kinda made sense it'd be able to tell u the numbers since it has to reach a certain number to pass anyways.

 

[IgnoreMe 5,000+ posts]

Yup, I'd love to know. I know autozone did the pass/fail thing. But it also kinda made sense it'd be able to tell u the numbers since it has to reach a certain number to pass anyways.

yea as far as autozone, the kid told me they basically just try to make it idiotproof for the employees. he suggested kraegan and pepboys but he told me he wasnt sure tho.

 

[ThomasG 5,000+ posts]

I was always told autozone but i guess thats a no go so i am curious as well

 

[IgnoreMe 5,000+ posts]

just pm'd the jizz man. i remember he said his did 218 on a benchtest...so im assuming he knows a place that does it. hoping he got my pm and will let us know.

 

[twentyinchburb 10+ year member]

when i was having problems with my charging system i went to autozone they did a check an my alt it gave a reading in amps so mabey it depends on what autozone you go to.

 

[ThomasG 5,000+ posts]

doest autozone take your alternator out of your car when they bench it?

 

[IgnoreMe 5,000+ posts]

doest autozone take your alternator out of your car when they bench it?

i take my own alternator out of my car lol

 

[ngsm13 5,000+ posts]

Both Autozone and Advance Autoparts around here do it, for free.

They roll out a cart to your vehicle, hook up a pair of cables... along with a clamp meter.

The machine then basically tells the employee what to do... they'll have you idle, rev to ~2000rpm, and then idle again. During this time it will be putting a load on your alternator...

Then it will give you output amperage, and charging voltage.

At least that's what both machines did at the local ones I went to... even though it should be idiot proof... it helps if the person actually knows what they're doing.

nG

 

[IgnoreMe 5,000+ posts]

Both Autozone and Advance Autoparts around here do it, for free.
They roll out a cart to your vehicle, hook up a pair of cables... along with a clamp meter.

The machine then basically tells the employee what to do... they'll have you idle, rev to ~2000rpm, and then idle again. During this time it will be putting a load on your alternator...

Then it will give you output amperage, and charging voltage.

At least that's what both machines did at the local ones I went to... even though it should be idiot proof... it helps if the person actually knows what they're doing.

nG

ahh, the man is here!

hmm, maybe thats why they didnt tell me, i actually took the alternator inside and they tested it on a machine, but gave me no amperage readings. thanks bro

 

[wesl56 10+ year member]

well a "bench test" would be with the alternator on a bench, not on the vehicle. it may not be running at full capacity while on ur car

an automotive electrical shop or alternator/starter rebuild shop will have the equipment to do this