Omega Owners Forum

Chat Area => General Car Chat => Topic started by: Alex W on 01 November 2010, 14:39:34

Title: How to Test an Alternator?
Post by: Alex W on 01 November 2010, 14:39:34

My wife's Rover 100 keeps getting a flat battery (every few weeks).

She only does very short journeys to and from work. 2 miles each way.

Before I go out and get a new battery I want to check the alternator isn't the culprit. I have a cheap multimeter. How do I check if the alternator is putting out enough charge?

Thanks in advance

Title: Re: How to Test an Alternator?
Post by: mantahatch on 01 November 2010, 15:22:55

Try here http://www.omegaowners.com/forum/YaBB.pl?num=1225724099

Also I think you will find 2 miles is not enough to recharge the battery this time of year. with cranking, heated rear window on, blower on etc.

Title: Re: How to Test an Alternator?
Post by: Alex W on 01 November 2010, 17:31:25

Thanks Manta. On checking, it looks like the battery is on the way out.

She's been doing the same journey in the car for about 10 years now and we don't usually have battery problems to be fair.

Title: Re: How to Test an Alternator?
Post by: cem_devecioglu on 01 November 2010, 17:37:45

check the alternator suplly will AC and lights on..

its shouldnt be below 13.5 volts..

Title: Re: How to Test an Alternator?
Post by: TheBoy on 01 November 2010, 17:56:43

Possibly worth investing in a trickle charger, or tell her to take it for a blast occasionally.  2m each way is doing the car no favours at all!

Title: Re: How to Test an Alternator?
Post by: r1 on 01 November 2010, 19:22:36

She only does very short journeys to and from work. 2 miles each way.

get  her to walk ;D
when i was a lad .....................................................

Title: Re: How to Test an Alternator?
Post by: mantahatch on 01 November 2010, 19:26:21

Quote

Thanks Manta. On checking, it looks like the battery is on the way out.

She's been doing the same journey in the car for about 10 years now and we don't usually have battery problems to be fair.

Just goes to show that Rover's where not as bad as most people liked to make out.  :y

Title: Re: How to Test an Alternator?
Post by: Alex W on 01 November 2010, 19:40:42

The only problem we have had with the battery was with the previous one which created a deposit around the positive terminal that looked a lot like detergent powder. That was a few years back now.

I notice that this battery is also creating a mess around the positive terminal as well, although nowhere near as bad as the last one. Is this a sign of anything sinister or is it just the normal death throes of a battery?

Title: Re: How to Test an Alternator?
Post by: Broomies Mate on 01 November 2010, 21:46:18

Quote

The only problem we have had with the battery was with the previous one which created a deposit around the positive terminal that looked a lot like detergent powder. That was a few years back now.

I notice that this battery is also creating a mess around the positive terminal as well, although nowhere near as bad as the last one. Is this a sign of anything sinister or is it just the normal death throes of a battery?

Clean it up really well with a stiff nylon brush and coat the terminals and connectors in Vaseline / Copper Grease / A N Other oily substance that wont flow away.