First get a DMM on the system so you know what is actually going on. Then make decisions.
When it bogs down with a full load, if you press the gas to raise the idle by about 200-300 RPM and the voltage kicks up, then the pulley scenario sounds like a good place to start.
Just remember that 3G's dont like being spun over 15K RPM.
Good luck.
When it bogs down with a full load, if you press the gas to raise the idle by about 200-300 RPM and the voltage kicks up, then the pulley scenario sounds like a good place to start.
Just remember that 3G's dont like being spun over 15K RPM.
Good luck.
How much do they spin(or supposed to spin at idle)? I have the same problem, just looking for answers.
Yup. Digital Multi Meter.
Radio shack makes a half-decent meter for under $20 that i use for quick checks like this. Not very good for much other than voltage..but that's usually what most people need. Closes up nice and fits in the toolbox of glovebox easy
Of course a lot of the cheap meters don't allow measuring amps in DC current which i consider important when working on cars. But for that, i have a nice expensive DMM from the days when i was an electrician and my life would sometimes depend on my meter.
Radio shack makes a half-decent meter for under $20 that i use for quick checks like this. Not very good for much other than voltage..but that's usually what most people need. Closes up nice and fits in the toolbox of glovebox easy
Of course a lot of the cheap meters don't allow measuring amps in DC current which i consider important when working on cars. But for that, i have a nice expensive DMM from the days when i was an electrician and my life would sometimes depend on my meter.
Set it to Volts DC. Touch red to either the battery POS, the solenoid POS, or the POS post on the backside of the alt...and touch the black to the NEG on the battery or a good solid chassis ground.
You want to see at least 12V at idle...not ideal, but you aren't discharging. 11V would be a slightly discharging. I beleive 13V is a good number to shoot for at idle and 14.4V should be what you see at any RPM above idle.
You want to see at least 12V at idle...not ideal, but you aren't discharging. 11V would be a slightly discharging. I beleive 13V is a good number to shoot for at idle and 14.4V should be what you see at any RPM above idle.
I don't understand. They're in the 2500 alternator-RPM range at idle.
The 15K warning was in case the alternator gets an overdrive pulley. Most alternators will have decent output by 1200 engine-RPM.
Okay Gotcha thanks. I wasn't sure, sounds like I have plently of room. I have the 3G.