Alternator Charging Guage???

[michaeldallen]

I came out this morning to the Genesis with the lights left on (I understand how I did that, duhhh! so let's not go there). Neighbor jumped me, started right away, and off to work I went (7 miles). A quick 're-start' test worked fine. However, I can't find any type of alternator guage to tell me how it's charging. I'm at work now and don't have the manual. Does anybody know if there's an indicator showing the charging process??? Remember in the 'olden days' you could watch the alternator needle go way up indicating it's charging? Thanks. Mike

 

[ctrcbob]

I came out this morning to the Genesis with the lights left on (I understand how I did that, duhhh! so let's not go there). Neighbor jumped me, started right away, and off to work I went (7 miles). A quick 're-start' test worked fine. However, I can't find any type of alternator guage to tell me how it's charging. I'm at work now and don't have the manual. Does anybody know if there's an indicator showing the charging process??? Remember in the 'olden days' you could watch the alternator needle go way up indicating it's charging? Thanks. Mike

Back in "the old days", that indicator you talk about was called an "ampmeter" and these are not used any more. It showed how many amps were going into the battery and also, how many amps were coming out of the battery. Also, the wiring had to be very heavy duty. No longer used.

Now, cars that have anything at all, use a simple "Voltmeter". Our Genesis' don't have a voltmeter, however I have simple plug in voltmeters that I keep plugged into the power point (cigarette lighter plug). I have one in each car. With the car running, and the voltage is high, it shows that the charging system is working good. If the voltage is low, it means that more is coming out of the battery than is going in. When I park, engine off, and I listen to the radio, I can watch the voltmeter go down from 12.5v to around 12.1v after about an hour of listening.

Some voltmeters can be purchased in either Auto Parts Stores, or even Motorcycle shops. I think I got mine at my local GoldWing dealer.

Works for me.

 

[michaeldallen]

Thanks, Bob! I gotta' get out more. Sounds like a handy device to keep in car. I think I'll get one. I really appreciate the education!
Mike

 

[mcginnpm]

Here are some of those cigarette lighter voltmeters Bob is talking about:

www.avillahardware.com/storefrontprofiles/processfeed.aspx?sfid=143264&i=244672467&mpid=9860&dfid=1

www.alibaba.com/showroom/cigarette-lighter-voltmeters.html

www.amazon.com/Vector-VEC008-Digital-Voltmeter-Volt/dp/B0002ISEQW

 

[michaeldallen]

Here are some of those cigarette lighter voltmeters Bob is talking about:

www.avillahardware.com/storefrontprofiles/processfeed.aspx?sfid=143264&i=244672467&mpid=9860&dfid=1

www.alibaba.com/showroom/cigarette-lighter-voltmeters.html

www.amazon.com/Vector-VEC008-Digital-Voltmeter-Volt/dp/B0002ISEQW

Thank you, too, Mike! You made it soooo easy for me to locate these devices.

Hey EVERYBODY... see how great this forum is?