Just did a full field. Voltage at the battery was climbing slowly during, but still never got any higher than 12.9V Looks like it's time for a new alt.
New Alternator. Hooked up properly....grounded directly to battery. New Voltage regulator New Battery. Just started her up....volt gauge inside still read around 11V. Even after a few revs. This is getting expensive.
The back of the alt. is grounded to the battery. Does it need just a body ground? My voltage gauge inside seems to be pretty accurate....as far as I can tell anyways
The alternator grounds through the bracket and engine block. Try another voltmeter just to eliminate that.
They agree with eachother. And my multimeter says 11.8V at the battery with it running. Should the ground post on the back of the alternator not be used? Is that having an effect?
Ground post? I've never seen a ground post. Like I said, the alternator grounds through it's mounting. It needs no other ground. I can't see what you are doing. Remove your ground, and see what happens.
On the back of the alt. there's a BAT post and a GND post. I always assumed they were self rounded...but hooked it up anyways. Just tried it without my exrtra ground....still falling. 11.6V at the battery this time.
I've never seen a connection to the ground post on the back of the alternator. It shouldn't hurt anything though. In any case, your alternator is not charging. Only thing I can suggest is to take it back where you bought it. New or Rebuilt doesn't mean it works, Unfortunately.
Okay.... with the help of a fellow V8 member here in CO, we're slowly dwindling down the problem. Swapped out athe windshield wiper fuse. Now there's key on power at the pink wire on the regulator. Charging the battery for the night, then back at it tomorrow. The blue wire on the regulator/alt.(Field)... is that supposed to see 12V at key on, or while running?
If you do replace the alternator, buy a 12SI alternator and (therefore) convert to internal regulation. It will be much more reliable. Lots of clocking options are available, many with lifetime warranties for little money.
Success!! Reinstalled my old regulator. Took that new Chinese thing back to napa and got my $22 back It ended up being the WINDSHIELD WIPER FUSE!!!!! Lesson for today: It's probably not your alternator or your regulator. Your windshield wipers need to work if you're gonna charge your electrical system.
