Vr range

mtf · Oct 11, 2017

What should be the maximum voltage from a generator on a 4000 3 cylinder diesel. My tester goes to 16 volts, and it goes to 16 volts at about 2000 rpm's. Thanks nathan

Dean · Oct 11, 2017

Not sure if your 4000 uses a vibrating contact VR.

If it does, you cannot measure charging voltage with an inexpensive digital meter. Rather you will need a good analog meter.

Dean

mtf · Oct 11, 2017

I have the shumacher analog battery and charging system tester.

JMOR · Oct 11, 2017

GM likes them set at 14.4 and upper acceptable limit as 15.2

souNdguy · Oct 11, 2017

As Jmor said, 14.4-15.1 is a usual range.

16 will probably not immediately cause problems, but I bet it shortens the battery life, and boils it over on long mowing sessions, causing its own problems.

Clean the reg/ gen ground references up. Resistance to ground on a reg can gloat its charge voltage.

Sean in PA · Oct 12, 2017

I'm not sure how your tester works, but if the tester only goes to 16 volts and it's reading 16, then it may actually be higher. The generator itself normally puts out around 18 to 20 volts and the regulator keeps the average voltage at the battery at around the proper charging voltage, which is around 14.5 volts. If I were you I would get a regular analog voltmeter and measure it that way. The contacts could be stuck closed in the VR which could lead to full generator voltage being applied to the battery, and that can not only be bad for the battery but also dangerous as the battery could overheat to the point that it might cause a fire and/or explosion. Overcharging the battery can cause the formation of hydrogen gas.

Vr range

mtf

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Sean in PA

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