Jack, IMO it's trying to tell you something's not right. Could be the
alternator, could just as easily be the battery. Batteries do sometimes
fail such that they never come up to 'float' voltage & will always draw
current from a healthy alternator.
Whichever it is, you should check into it soon, as the battery is most
likely venting gases that are not only explosive, but laden with sulfuric
acid. Caution is also advised, especially any kind of spark near the
battery.
Many car parts stores (Pep Boys, Kragen, etc.) will test a battery for you
for free, if you take it out & carry it into the store.
Randall
>
> My ammeter is reading something unusual -- need some input from listers.
>
> I took a couple hundred mile trip a week ago and all the while
> the ammeter
> needle was about 1/16" into the charge zone. No problem.
>
> I took a 30 mile ride this weekend and it was 1/4" into the
> charge zone for
> the entire trip.
>
> Battery specific gravity okay, voltage at battery about 1-1/2
> volts higher
> when charging -- those things check okay. It acts like the
> alternator isn't
> reducing output as it should.
>
> Should I just forget it or is the difference in ammeter reading
> telling me
> that something is awry in the alternator?
|