For sure Mark, that is all very true if precise info is needed but in

Mikes situation, being on the road with access to alt’ inconvenient & only

really general health of alt’ output being needed, a test @ the Battery is

probably quite adequate ~  

> On 23 May , 2023, at 10:13 AM, Mark Drillock <madvws@COX.NET> wrote:
> 
> 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
>> 
>>> 
>> 
>>>