13.8 is the VW design voltage. 13.8 is the ideal voltage for most battery
operation as it just below or near the gassing voltage. 14.2 is an upper
limit. While the lower voltage does not really fully charge, off gas or
otherwise maintain a battery, it keeps the plates from oxidizing and for
starting batteries does help them last longer overall. Almost all
trucks/busses operate at this voltage. A plug in battery charger may go to
14.5 or some even to 16 volts. But you can't leave a battery at this voltage
for ever without it being damaged or off gassing.

Your wiring is now 26 years old. It was undersized when new, it has gained a
lot of resistance over time. It may be time for some wire bypass surgery.

Dennis

-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf Of
alfred bagdan
Sent: Sunday, July 18, 2010 1:44 AM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: Re: Alternator output

Hi Again,

Thanks for the many replies.
At the alternator, the voltage is 13.8 Volts.  Is it supposed to be 14.7
Volts?
Anyway, I'll charge the battery fully, clean all the grounds and positive
connections and see if the charging Voltage improves improves.

Alfred
85, Westy

----- Original Message -----
From: "Scott Daniel - Turbovans" <scottdaniel@TURBOVANS.COM>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Saturday, July 17, 2010 6:50 PM
Subject: Re: Alternator output

> what is the charging voltage measured at the alternator main terminal ?
>
> 13.0 volts at the battery is definitely low.
>
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "alfred bagdan" <abagdan@SHAW.CA>
> To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
> Sent: Saturday, July 17, 2010 5:29 PM
> Subject: Re: Alternator output
>
>
>> Hi all,
>>
>> I put a voltmeter across the battery and revved the engine at 2000RPM+
>> and
>> get a reading of only 13.0 Volts.
>> Should I be worried or will the alternator last a bit longer?
>>
>> Thanks,
>>
>> Alfred
>> 85 Vanagon
>>
>>
>> ----- Original Message -----
>> From: "Shawn Wright" <vwdiesels@GMAIL.COM>
>> To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
>> Sent: Saturday, July 17, 2010 5:42 PM
>> Subject: Two failed tires... :-(
>>
>>
>>> Last week I found a bad gash in one of my Yokohama 370s up front, so I
>>> planned to swap my BFG ATs from rear to front and put my Conti spares on
>>> the
>>> rear. I figured this would be a good chance to try the BFGs on the
>>> front,
>>> as
>>> I've never tried them (I only have 2). I was shocked to find a horrible
>>> bulge about 1" diameter in the tread of a BFG, where a previous patch
>>> was
>>> made (a proper inside patch done at Kal Tire). It is so bulged that the
>>> steel belts are showing and worn through, exposing the layer beneath.
>>> Ack.
>>>
>>> So that makes 2 bad tires in 2 weeks, meaning I am definitely looking at
>>> a
>>> full set, probably with new 15 or 16" wheels.
>>>
>>> I'm currently reading this thread:
>>> http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=203519
>>>
>>> trying to glean as much info as possible on wheel options. I hadn't
>>> planned
>>> on this now, but it seems I have no choice.
>>>
>>> I was able to return the EV 15" wheels I bought as they were not a good
>>> fit
>>> (ET55), so I'm shopping for options. I'm considering 16x7 ET35 wheels
>>> from
>>> tirerack (same as GoWesty sells) with BFG AT 215/70R16.
>>>
>>> --
>>> Shawn Wright