Ok, I didn't disagree that 12 volts is enough to keep the battery charged, but as we do know a cars electrical system is very complex and without knowing everything that is going on to say 12 volts is not enough doesn't tell much. So we know the light stays on after the key is in the off position, and we know that the alternator is putting out 12.2 volts. So to further figure out what is going on do we know that all the electrical system grounds are clean and solid ? Since you said the battery light is on without starting the car we can rule out that the alternator is the starting point for the problem. right? It could also be weak itself, but before going into how many volts it is pushing out we should look at the rest of the electrical system. Bad grounds, battery cables, body ground ???? there is a starting point before going into what the alternator is actually doing. If you can try this first as a quick check, change the alternator out for a good one then see what happens. 69 280 SEL 120,000 Miles 72 350SL 108,000 Miles 2004 VW Passat 4 Motion 1999 Mazda Miata -----Original Message----- From: Kaleb C. Striplin <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: Mercedes mailing list <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Sent: Mon, 14 Nov 2005 23:33:57 -0600 Subject: Re: [MBZ] screwed up 560SEL charging system
Anything below 13.1 or so volts is too low. Its not putting out what it needs to. The problem is why is it not charging properly and why is the battery light staying on with the key off, and going out when the key is turned on before engine is started. That is the question. [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: > Normal charging voltage is usually between 12 and 14 volts, depending on the load on the battery. You don't really need the alternator to push to much voltage since all it is really doing is keeping the battery topped off. To much will cause it to overheat and boil over. If you are getting 12.2 volts out is that without a load ? No accessories running ? You won't get much more than that unless you put a load on the alternator. Try putting a load on the system by turning on accessories, wipers, fan, radio, lights and see what happens. > > 69 280 SEL 120,000 Miles > 72 350SL 108,000 Miles > 2004 VW Passat 4 Motion > 1999 Mazda Miata > > > -----Original Message----- > From: Kaleb C. Striplin <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > To: Mercedes mailing list <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > Sent: Mon, 14 Nov 2005 13:53:14 -0600 > Subject: Re: [MBZ] screwed up 560SEL charging system > > > 12.2 is not enough, it needs to be over 13.1 at the minimum, should > normally run 13.3 to 13.5 though. > > Levi Smith wrote: > > >>Uhh, unless I'm missing something, 12.2 isn't really enough. I would only >>expect to see that if maybe you're overloading the alternator at idle. >>Batteries should be at 13.2v or higher. >> >>Levi >> >>On 11/14/05, [EMAIL PROTECTED] <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: >> >> >>>Kaleb, its not just the volts that the alternator should be putting out ( >>>12.2 sounds ok) its the amps thats needed for keeping the battery charged. >>>Have you checked all your grounds ? A bad ground could cause those symptoms >>>since you said putting in a new battery worked, but the red battery light >>>stays lit. That sounds to me like a weak ground on the battery side.. >>> >>>69 280 SEL 120,000 Miles >>>72 350SL 108,000 Miles >>>2004 VW Passat 4 Motion >>>1999 Mazda Miata >>> >>> >> >>_______________________________________ >>For new parts see official list sponsor: http://www.buymbparts.com/ >>For used parts email [EMAIL PROTECTED] >> >>To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: >>http://striplin.net/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_striplin.net >> >> >> > > -- Kaleb C. Striplin/Claremore, OK 89 560SEL, 87 300SDL, 85 380SE, 85 300D, 84 250 LWB, 83 300TD, 81 300TD, 81 240D, 81 240D, 76 450SEL, 76 240D, 76 300D, 74 240D, 69 250 Okie Benz Auto parts-email for used parts _______________________________________ For new parts see official list sponsor: http://www.buymbparts.com/ For used parts email [EMAIL PROTECTED] To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: http://striplin.net/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_striplin.net ___________________________________________________ Try the New Netscape Mail Today! Virtually Spam-Free | More Storage | Import Your Contact List http://mail.netscape.com
