Symptoms of an overcharged alternator
Alternators can fail in ways that are hard to figure out. Many people think that undercharging is the main problem because it leads to a dead battery. However, a damaged alternator can overcharge, creating excess voltage throughout the electrical system.
This overcharging of the alternator can cause a variety of problems. Learn to recognize the symptoms of an overcharged alternator and what steps to take before it causes damage to other components. What does it mean when a generator is “overcharged”? The term “overloaded” is often used to describe a generator that produces more power than its rated output.
This requires a good understanding, as all generators are pre-conditioned to provide power in the form of voltage within a certain range. This range reflects the operating threshold at which a particular vehicle’s electronics are intended to function.
If a generator is overcharged, sensitive electrical components can quickly be damaged, rendering it unusable. This will ultimately require repairs that can cost many times more than the cost of replacing the failed generator itself.
Generator power is controlled by an integrated voltage regulator, which as such is intended to prevent overcharging. However, voltage regulator failures can and do occur semi-regularly, resulting in rapid overvoltages.
The voltage regulator built into most generators is set to limit the output to around 13.5 to 14.5 volts. Therefore, any generator that produces more than 14.5-15.0 volts may be considered defective due to overcharging. However, this should always be verified by consulting the factory-specific service literature for your particular vehicle.
Symptoms of an Overloaded Generator
An overloaded generator can often be identified by recognizing one or more symptoms associated with such a problem. For this reason, a good understanding of these symptoms can often be helpful in quickly identifying this type of problem.
The following are some of the most common symptoms associated with an overcharged generator:
1) Erratic Dashboard Indicators
One of the most obvious signs of an overcharged alternator is erratic high readings on the voltmeter in your vehicle’s instrument cluster.
Any value above 15 volts requires further investigation, but significantly higher values raise concern. Some vehicles may also display a warning message if the voltage level exceeds acceptable limits.
2) Battery Abnormalities
If your car’s battery housing suddenly starts to bulge, or if an under-hood inspection reveals that the battery is very hot to the touch, an overcharged alternator is most likely the culprit.
Alternatively, you may notice that the battery electrolyte starts to boil or that your vehicle’s battery emits a sulfur-like odor.
3) Reduced bulb life
In some cases, generator overcurrent can be noticed by the need to continually replace the bulbs in your vehicle’s headlights, fog lights, or marker lights. This is especially true if your vehicle’s bulbs burn out frequently. This symptom itself is caused by the introduction of excess voltage, which places additional strain on certain bulbs.