Depends when it's putting out the 14.7 volts and for how long. Also depends where you are getting the volt reading from. Are you checking at the alternator output post, from the battery, or where?
A typical automotive alternator with a built-in regulator can make voltage run up to 15.5 volts and still be working properly. That is only supposed to happen at high amp-rate charge situations though.
A typical system can spike up to 15.5 volts when a battery is highly discharged and there is a high-amp charge. It can also happen if there are bad connections somewhere. With normal start-run situations - first fast charge is normally around 14.6 volts and will come down to a "maintenance" charge of 13.4 volts.
I wouldn't blame your alternator until you either check all else - or isolate the alternator and test it properly. At the least - hook it direct to a battery known to be good.
A typical car battery (flooded lead acid) can handle a fast charge at over 15 volts just fine with no damage. If fact, when done right - it makes batteries last longer. It's not practical on a car or truck - but large battery banks are often over-volted to prolong their lives - usually called battery "equalizing."
Also, batterys in cold weather can handle a much higher charge voltage than batteries in hot weather.
We sell tractor parts! We have the parts you need to repair your tractor - the right parts. Our low prices and years of research make us your best choice when you need parts. Shop Online Today. [ About Us ]
Today's Featured Article - Upgrading an Oliver Super 55 Electrical System - by Dennis Hawkins. My old Oliver Super 55 has been just sitting and rusting for several years now. I really hate to see a good tractor being treated that way, but not being able to start it without a 30 minute point filing ritual every time contributed to its demise. If it would just start when I turn the key, then I would use it more often. In addition to a bad case of old age, most of the tractor's original electrical system was simply too unreliable to keep. The main focus of this page is to show how I upgr
... [Read Article]
Latest Ad:
1964 I-H 140 tractor with cultivators and sidedresser. Starts and runs good. Asking 2650. CALL RON AT 502-319-1952
[More Ads]
All Rights Reserved. Reproduction of any part of this website, including design and content, without written permission is strictly prohibited. Trade Marks and Trade Names contained and used in this Website are those of others, and are used in this Website in a descriptive sense to refer to the products of others. Use of this Web site constitutes acceptance of our User Agreement and Privacy Policy
TRADEMARK DISCLAIMER: Tradenames and Trademarks referred to within Yesterday's Tractor Co. products and within the Yesterday's Tractor Co. websites are the property of their respective trademark holders. None of these trademark holders are affiliated with Yesterday's Tractor Co., our products, or our website nor are we sponsored by them. John Deere and its logos are the registered trademarks of the John Deere Corporation. Agco, Agco Allis, White, Massey Ferguson and their logos are the registered trademarks of AGCO Corporation. Case, Case-IH, Farmall, International Harvester, New Holland and their logos are registered trademarks of CNH Global N.V.
