How to Determine if Vehicle Has Smart Alternator for Using REDARC Battery Charger
- 1. Locate your main vehicle battery
- 2. Start the engine, ensuring any fans, radio, lights etc. are turned off.
- 3. Take a voltage reading across the main vehicle battery
- 4. Leave running for around 5/10 minutes, then repeat step 3
How to determine if vehicle has Smart alternator for battery charger?
How to Determine if Vehicle Has Smart Alternator for Using REDARC Battery Charger 1 Locate your main vehicle battery 2 Start the engine, ensuring any fans, radio, lights etc. are turned off. 3 Take a voltage reading across the main vehicle battery 4 Leave running for around 5/10 minutes, then repeat step 3 More ...
Why should I check the battery before checking the alternator?
If the weather is cold or your battery is old, your battery could be the issue and your alternator might be just fine. That's why you need to check the battery before checking the alternator. Here's how to do it: Turn off the car.
How do you test an alternator?
Test alternator by connecting voltmeter on DC 20, red on positive battery terminal and black on negative battery terminal. Start vehicle, and voltage on voltmeter should increase to around 13 volts and stabilize there. If it decreases and starts to drop until vehicle eventually dies,...
What determines the output of an alternator?
The output of these alternators can vary dependent on the information sent to the ECU from the various sensors, the state of charge of the battery, demands from the vehicles electronic parts and accessories such as heated screens/seats, infotainment systems etc.
What is considered a smart alternator?
A smart alternator, also referred to as a variable voltage or ECU controlled charging system, runs at a lower voltage to a traditional alternator and then increases the voltage dramatically when the driver lifts off, this high voltage (around 17VDC) quickly charges the battery.
Do I have a variable voltage alternator?
What you are looking for is a module mounted on or close to the battery terminal (usually the battery negative). This is the battery sensor, if it's got one of these, you have a variable voltage alternator.
What kind of alternator do I have?
Look for a diagram under or near your fuse box cover. It will have individual amperage numbers (sometimes along with volts) already set by the manufacturer. Add up those numbers to find what amperage your alternator needs to feed the car's electrical system. Verify this number with the part manufacturer, if necessary.
What is a smart alternator battery Sense module?
Smart Ignition Sense Module - for variable voltage (smart) alternators. This inertial sense Module is a solid-state electronic device developed for use with Redarc and Enerdrive dcdc chargers to save the hassle of having to tap into the vehicles ignition system on cars with variable voltage alternators.
When did cars start using smart alternators?
Installed in vehicles since 2015 (these vehicles are classed as Euro 5 or Euro 6), these systems take advantage of the kinetic energy that is normally converted to heat and wasted during braking, and instead convert it to electrical energy to recharge the battery.
How do I turn off my smart alternator?
5:2010:20Ford Ranger Smart Charging Disabled, Variable Voltage AlternatorYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipThere like that you know it doesn't have to come all the way out as long as that. Contact isMoreThere like that you know it doesn't have to come all the way out as long as that. Contact is separated. Inside that's fine and essentially that is how you disable the smart charge.
How can you tell how many amps your alternator is?
You should have a stamp on the alternator with a part number and amperage. The part number that starts with F3UZ is the 130 amp, and the F1TZ is the 95 amp. You can use either one.
What happens if you put a higher amp alternator on my car?
That is, your alternator will only supply the amount of amperage a particular component demands—and no more. So high-output alternators will not harm your components or charging system, no matter how high you go with the amps.
How do I tell what amperage my alternator is?
1:3313:13How to test an alternator the right way! - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipOkay it's simply you just connect it to the negative battery terminal and as you can see here theMoreOkay it's simply you just connect it to the negative battery terminal and as you can see here the battery is being charged at 10 amps.
Do you need a DC-DC charger with a smart alternator?
If you have a smart alternator then you will need to use a Battery-To-Battery charger (also known as a DC-DC charger) to ensure that you can charge your auxiliary battery effectively.
What voltage do smart alternators charge at?
Smart Alternators. Fixed voltage alternators deliver a fixed voltage of around 14V to the electrical system of your vehicle. These units will provide a higher current after you start your car and once the battery is back up to charge, reduce the current whilst you are driving.
How do you wire a smart alternator?
0:525:03Enerdrive DC2DC Chargers - Part 4 - How to Install (Smart Alternator)YouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipSo what you want to do with that one is not go directly onto the terminal. But rather follow thatMoreSo what you want to do with that one is not go directly onto the terminal. But rather follow that cable down and see where it connects to the chassis.
Is 14.7 volts too high for alternator?
To fully charge in reasonable times, alternator output must be 14.2 V to 14.5 V as measured right across the battery posts. Above 14.5 volts charging voltage, batteries have a greatly increased tendency to release excessive acidic vapors, hydrogen gas, and to corrode things around the battery.
How do you check alternator voltage?
0:319:05How to Test an Alternator - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipHere's the negative terminal. And the positive terminal on the battery. You want to make sure theseMoreHere's the negative terminal. And the positive terminal on the battery. You want to make sure these terminals are clean so that you'll get a reading when you do this test.
How many volts should my alternator put out at idle?
HOW TO TEST ALTERNATOR CHARGING VOLTAGE. Most alternators that are charging properly should produce a voltage of about 13.8 to 14.2 volts at idle with the lights and accessories off. Always refer to the vehicle manufacturer's specifications.
Can I use a VSR with a smart alternator?
Tip: Alternatively a VSR (Voltage switch relay) can be used with a smart alternator in a manual mode with a remote switch to control the relay.
How to check alternator output?
Check the alternator gauge. If you have a volt/amp gauge, it will read the alternator output for you. Run engine at 2,000 rpms for tests and turn on the blower fan for the AC or Heater, the headlamps, and any other accessories that put a strain on the alternator, and watch the gauge to see if it decreases voltage or amperage. As a rule, if the voltmeter is higher when the engine is running than when the engine is not, you can confidently assume that the alternator is charging.
How to test alternator?
The easiest way to test it is by using a voltmeter. If you're well in tune with your car, there are a few other methods you may try as well. This test is to give a general health of your alternator and battery. Some newer vehicles may have computer controlled charging systems and would require additional testing. Steps.
Why do you need to check the battery before checking the alternator?
If the weather is cold or your battery is old, your battery could be the issue and your alternator might be just fine. That's why you need to check the battery before checking the alternator. Here's how to do it: Turn off the car. You'll want to make sure your engine is off before attaching the voltmeter. Open the hood.
How many volts does an alternator need to charge?
Repeat the process with the lights, radio, and AC on. The alternator is charging if the battery voltage stays above 13 volts with the engine at 2,000 rpm and all accessories on.
What does it mean when your alternator is overcharging?
If the reading stays the same or drops, that means the alternator isn’t charging and you may need a new one. If the reading is more than 2 volts higher, that could mean that your alternator is overcharging.
How to connect a voltmeter to a battery?
You'll want to make sure your engine is off before attaching the voltmeter. Open the hood. Connect the voltmeter to the battery. Place the red lead of the voltmeter to the positive battery terminal and the black lead to the negative terminal. Avoid touching your skin to the battery.
How to get alternator to go into high gear?
Start the vehicle and rev the engine to 2,000 RPM. This will draw power on your battery, which should cause your voltage regulator to kick the alternator into high gear.
How are smart charge alternators controlled?
Smart charge alternators are controlled externally by the ECU with information being sent between the two via the communication cable as a signal.
How many volts does an alternator produce?
An Autoelectro spokesperson said: “In a non smart charge alternator, when the engine is running, the a constant voltage of between 13.8-14.4 volts is produced, depending on the battery charge level and engine speed. “The higher the output the greater the mechanical load upon the engine, causing the vehicle to consume more fuel.
What type of plug is used in smart charge alternators?
Smart charge alternators can usually be identified from their regulator plug type (LIN, BSS and COM)
What is the communication between an alternator and an ECU?
When testing a smart charge alternator, the communication between the alternator and the ECU is in a wave pattern form that requires a suitable device to read such as an oscilloscope.
What is the benefit of smart charging?
The benefit of the smart charge system is it can output a lower voltage over a longer period thus reducing the drag upon the engine , this reduced drag leads to improved fuel efficiency.
Do smart alternators actuate battery light?
According to Autoelectro, the majority of smart charge alternators do not actuate the battery charge light itself – this is controlled by the ECU.
Does an alternator overcharge during acceleration?
The spokesperson said: “During acceleration the ECU can effectively turn off the alternator, and this means the vehicle has more power as the alternator bears no load on the engine, and on overrun the alternator can be allowed to overcharge as this does not affect vehicle performance.
How to tell if you have a smart alternator?
Here's how you determine if you have a smart alternator or not: 1. Locate your main vehicle battery. 2. Start the engine, ensuring any fans, radio, lights etc. are turned off. 3. Take a voltage reading across the main vehicle battery. 4. Leave running for around 5/10 minutes, then repeat step 3.
Why do smart alternators have a lower voltage charge?
So smart alternators are one that typically have a lower voltage charge when the vehicle is accelerating and then a drastically higher voltage when the vehicle is coasting . This is a way to minimize the load on the engine when needing the power of the engine and then maximize the load when the vehicle is slowing down.
How to tell if alternator is bad?
If you want to be sure that the problem is the alternator, rather than something else in the electrical system, simply look for a pattern. Can you pinpoint that the lights flicker when you do something else that draws electricity, such as turning on the radio, adjusting the climate control or using your power windows? That will be the key to helping you narrow down the possibilities, since it demonstrates your lights are flickering in response to the extra load on the system. As you continue to read through this article, you'll see that a failing alternator simply can't keep up with all of the things you ask your car to do during a typical drive.
What does the warning light on my car's alternator look like?
If the alternator's output goes below or above a pre-set limit, then your car's warning dash light will come on. In most vehicles, it looks like a battery. Baloon111/ThinkStock
What happens when an alternator loses power?
Since the alternator supplies your vehicle's electrical needs, when it begins to lose its potential, so do the car's accessories that draw on that electricity. Your car may begin to experience erratic symptoms ranging from dimming or extremely bright headlights and dash lights, to speedometers and tachometers that simply stop working for no apparent reason.
What does it mean when your alternator smells?
Smell is the third sensory sign of alternator trouble, and it comes from the fact that your alternator is working way too hard to the brink of overheating.
Why is the alternator important?
Because the alternator is connected to (and critical for) other vehicle systems, any mechanical auto problems can have an effect on its function and have an effect on diagnosing car problems. Paying attention to the 10 trouble signs on this list can make it a little easier to diagnose car trouble caused by the alternator.
Why do electric cars need alternators?
(Electric vehicles don't need alternators since they are driven by an electric motor and battery combination that provides plenty of energy for the vehicle's normal operations.
How many volts does an alternator have?
Most alternators have an output between 13 and 14.5 volts that they try to maintain at a constant level. As more power is demanded your car's headlights, the windshield wipers, your radio, the heated seats, the rear window defroster, and so on, the alternator needs to work harder to maintain the necessary voltage.
