To accurately assess the charging system it is fundamental to start by
measuring the charging voltage directly at the source, the alternator.

Second spot is the battery itself, to make sure most of the measured
alternator voltage is reaching it.

The least important spot to measure is the dash area since it is subject
to wide variations and gives misleading readings under different loads.

Mark

On 5/23/2023 8:59 AM, Michael A. Radtke wrote:
> LarsP,
>
> You shouldn't have to unload your Vanagon.  There is easy access to the
> battery voltage through the cigar lighter socket, but you do need a
> meter.
>
> That said, the regulated charging voltage should be less the warmer
> things are.  So you may have an issue.
>
> Mike
>
> ------------------------ Original Message ------------------------
> Date: Tue, 23 May 2023 07:32:42 -0700
> From: LarsP <olgreywoof@GMAIL.COM>
> To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
> Subject: Re: On the road - charging issue
>
>
> Thanks Rob,
>
> That would confirm the gauge, but since I’m loaded and traveling, I was
> hoping to get an idea of what might be going on (is this a warning?)
> without unloading to get inside.�  Everything else seems to be running
> normally.
>
>
>
> From: Rob
> Sent: Tuesday, May 23, 2023 5:19 AM
> To: LarsP
> Cc: vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com
> Subject: Re: On the road - charging issue
>
>
>
> I'd use my multimeter and see what voltage the alternator is actually
>
> putting out.
>
>
>
> Rob
>
> vwrobb@gmail.com
>
>
>
> On Mon, May 22, 2023 at 11:29 PM LarsP <olgreywoof@gmail.com> wrote:
>
>>
>
>> 87 Wolfsburg 2.1
>
>>
>
>> Have VDO gauges which are not all that precise anyway, but Volts usually show right around 13+.�  On highway today, charging stayed above 14 most of the day.�  What do I learn from that?�  Frying an alternator?�  Alternator frying the battery?�  Battery depleted?
>
>>
>
>>
>
>>
>
>> Thanks,
>
>>
>
>> gp
>
>>
>
>>