Thread: Possible to change the set alternator output voltage?
View Single Post
  #3  
Old Sat, December 18th, 2010, 05:02 PM
cleatus12r's Avatar
cleatus12r cleatus12r is offline
F Your Yankee Blue Jeans
  
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Somewhere in Montana
Posts: 3,063
cleatus12r is a name known to allcleatus12r is a name known to allcleatus12r is a name known to allcleatus12r is a name known to allcleatus12r is a name known to allcleatus12r is a name known to all
Default
Jack,

I was just having a discussion this morning with a friend of mine. He and his girlfriend are driving to Las Vegas right now for a vacation. The battery light on her 08 Suburban came on along with a message saying "Service Charging System". I've worked on a ton of these things before I quit working for Big Brother Motors....and yes, the charging system IS integrated into a separate module (and oftentimes PCM). It's more complicated than it has to be, but the auto manufacturers have to justify the added sticker price somehow!

Long story short, the alternator is still charging at 14.5 volts, but it is only a fail-safe mode. Typically, the battery and charging system control module will run a lower voltage if there aren't any loads running to reduce engine drag and help prevent over-charging. But internally regulated alternators have been doing a superb job of running accessories and keeping the battery "topped off" for how long now with no issues? Oh yeah...about forever.
__________________
Tuning, flashing, burning chips, and repairing all aspects of 7.3L Powerstrokes.
SEVEN 7.3L-powered vehicles in the driveway. Two didn't come that way from the factory!
Reply With Quote