cooling system. See your engine manual for operating
conditions.
system. See your engine manual for operating conditions.
Engine not Running or
Running at Idle
Engine Running Fast Enough to
Make Alternator Produce
1—Dead or disconnected battery. Disconnected
or badly connected meter.
1—Disconnected meter. Engine could not run
with dead or disconnected battery unless circuit
was completed around battery.
2—Very low battery charge. Engine might not
start.
2 and 3—When pointer stays below 13.3 V with
engine running fast enough to operate
alternator, it shows that alternator is not
operating, voltage regulator is out of
adjustment, or current being drawn from battery
by lights, heater, fan, or other load exceeds
alternator output.
3—Low battery charge. Constant reading in this
area indicates need to check alternator and
voltage regulator.
4—Well-charged battery. Indicates a good
battery and that alternator and voltage regulator
are operating properly.
4 and 5—When engine is started, pointer might
stay in this area temporarily, but it should
gradually rise above 13.3 V as alternator
reaches normal output.
5—Pointer might remain in this position
temporarily when engine has been stopped
after considerable use, due to a “surface
charge” in battery. To get a correct reading, turn
on wipers or heater for a few minutes.
6 and 7—Under normal conditions, a 12 V
battery is fully charged at 12.8 V. A slightly
higher reading might occur under conditions
outlined in number 5. Generally speaking,
however, any reading above 12.8 V when
engine is stopped is not a true reading.
6—This is the area where pointer should be
when alternator, voltage regulator, and battery
are all in good condition and working properly.
7—When pointer goes above 15.2 V, voltage
regulator is set too high or jammed. Continued
operation of engine will burn out battery.