Charging system problem

[foxfire9]

My gauge on my 85 reads between 12.5 and 13.0 volts. I am pretty sure it should output more. I have a new battery and a new alternator and a new belt. It there any other way to adjust the output?

[fatherlarry]

It should be around 13.4 to 13.8 warmed up. When you put a load on it, meaning your headlights are on, air conditioning and blower motor, and radio are on, what does the voltage drop down to?

There is no way to adjust it because the voltage regulator is built internally in the alternator. It could be caused by oxidation on the battery cable, ground wires, or wire harness, and a very good possibility could be the hot lead that goes in back of the alternator. Oxidation occurs with cars that are near salt water.

If you're showing 13.0, with a load, like I mentioned above, that could be normal, because the gauges sometimes are not too accurate. If you are not having any problem, like the battery going dead, then I wouldn't worry about it. But if it's not under a load and it's only 13.0, it could also be the rebuilt alternator that you put in that could be faulty. Some re-builders don't do as good a job as others might. If you have a voltage tester, try to check the output from the meter instead of your gauge. It may read differently. Usually on cold starts with no load, it may read 14.2 on cold start up, and then slowly drop down to 13.4-13.8. Good luck, and let us know how you make out.