I have an 89 Supra-- an inboard ski boat, with a 351-Ford based PCM engine.
I have what appears to be lower than normal voltage reading on my voltmeter. When running, it only shows 12 volts--maybe a little more-- with no accesories on. If I turn on a blower, or a bilge pump, or a light, it drops below 12 volts-- to somewhere between 10 and 11. This is with just one of those things on.
I haven't yet had a battery go dead on me, but I am pretty good about charging the battery between runs, so I don't put much strain on my battery.
So my guess is that either the alternator is not putting out enough charge -- or maybe my voltmeter is off.
So maybe I should confirm my voltage readings first with a multimeter? I have a good multimeter--but I not sure where the best place to take a measurement is? Is at the battery sufficient?
If I confirm these readings with a multimeter, does that mean I have a bad alternator? Or do I need another test?
Jared
I have what appears to be lower than normal voltage reading on my voltmeter. When running, it only shows 12 volts--maybe a little more-- with no accesories on. If I turn on a blower, or a bilge pump, or a light, it drops below 12 volts-- to somewhere between 10 and 11. This is with just one of those things on.
I haven't yet had a battery go dead on me, but I am pretty good about charging the battery between runs, so I don't put much strain on my battery.
So my guess is that either the alternator is not putting out enough charge -- or maybe my voltmeter is off.
So maybe I should confirm my voltage readings first with a multimeter? I have a good multimeter--but I not sure where the best place to take a measurement is? Is at the battery sufficient?
If I confirm these readings with a multimeter, does that mean I have a bad alternator? Or do I need another test?
Jared