cant tell if it is charging. what reading should I be getting?

[bean 85]

I have a k181 that has a magneto and alternator.  like a jd 110.  the coil is working fine, the engine runs great. I don't know how to test the alternator to see if it is charging. I have been starting it with a rope, even though it has a starter (and I have a battery  ).

there is a 3 wire harness that plugs into the rectifier. should there be 12v at the plug, coming from the alternator?

[953 nut 59,281]

Just put a volt meter on the battery prior to starting, record the reading, then see what the running voltage is. If the running voltage is higher than the pre start voltage then it is charging.

 

 

 

 

[kenw520hc 4]

thats a 10 amp reg-rect 3 way flat plug, the middle wire should have 12 volts, if not find out why not, needs 12 volts for the reg-rect to work. the outer 2 wires come from the stator under the flywheel. use multi-meter on ac scale with engine running and un plugged from reg-rect should have voltage at 2500 rpm or so around 25-30 volts ac or thereabout if not probly broken wire or bad stator. if voltage is good ac and middle wire 12 volts dc than regul-rect is bad. hope this helps.make sure battery is also good and also charged.

[kenw520hc 4]

post from 953nut also correct, i would like to see 13.8 or better at battery when running.

[bean 85]

thank you gentlemen! I put an ac volt meter on the outside posts, and got voltage in the upper teens at probably 1800-2000 rpm. I was getting attacked by 'skeetos and had to come in before checking it at 2500rpm.

it looks like it is good

   

I will get some cables and wire the battery into the system.I  haven't bothered yet, because it starts right up with the rope.

the po had it hooked to a 2k watt generator. it works as well.

Edited August 29, 2013 by bean