Correct charging voltage

[MarPac]

Hi folks, my 2000 3.0 Windstar is running well, but I have measured the alternator giving 14,7V at the batery connectors. The batery was quite discharged, when I rise RPM, it goes to 14,68V. Is this a normal situation?

Thanks marpac.

[12Ounce]

Those voltage numbers seem a bit high to me. I get concerned if I see much over 14.3.

But before you start changing anything, why don't you use the same voltmeter to measure the voltage on some other vehicle, one that has no known problem ... just to compare. Could be your meter is not exact.

[MarPac]

12Ounce: I think that those values are not OK as well, I took the batery to the garage to charge it outside the van.

I woul'd like to test it somewhere else, but there are only few Windstars in Czech Republic. I have 96 3.0 one and the voltage range is up to 14,3V.

Merry christmas to all of you, MarPac

[aleekat]

Originally Posted by 12Ounce

Those voltage numbers seem a bit high to me. I get concerned if I see much over 14.3.

But before you start changing anything, why don't you use the same voltmeter to measure the voltage on some other vehicle, one that has no known problem ... just to compare. Could be your meter is not exact.

He didn't mean another Windstar, just another 12volt car.

[12Ounce]

...Yes, Aleekat is correct, any 12 volt auto system is good for comparison.

.... and it seems he also has a '96, which measures 14.3v... this seems more correct to me. I would be inclined to think the alternator on the 2000 is not regulating correctly. In North America, I would suggest one to replace the alternator. Easily done here. I don't know what is the best solution there.

[MarPac]

Alternator is not a problem to rebuild or to get new item. Usually you can get stuff from Poland or Germany where Windstars were sold as brand new cars :-)
Probably some of diodes are blown so there is a over voltage.

My another car 97 2,3 Ford Scorpio is working with 14V...
MarPac

[MarPac]

I took a fresh batery and tested the running alternator voltage to be 14,2 now and 13,9 with all the electrical devices in operation. So the problem was empty batery. I'll keep this in mind for next time :-)

[12Ounce]

Yeah, I can see how it could happen. If the battery failed in such a way that it approached an "open circuit" ... i.e., little electrical load ... then the regulator would have a difficult task.

Congrats on the find and fix!