Auto Alternator load test ?
Auto Alternator load test ?
(OP)
Hello all,
I have read the maximum amps from a particular auto alternator can be read by shorting the unit ????
I understand Diodes dont like this at all. Could anyone please explain to me how this is then done ? Many thanks.
I have read the maximum amps from a particular auto alternator can be read by shorting the unit ????
I understand Diodes dont like this at all. Could anyone please explain to me how this is then done ? Many thanks.





RE: Auto Alternator load test ?
Regards
Pat
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RE: Auto Alternator load test ?
Many thanks for your help. I am mystified at the use of the term "short". I have come across it on two occasions.
RE: Auto Alternator load test ?
Regards
Pat
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RE: Auto Alternator load test ?
Regards
Pat
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RE: Auto Alternator load test ?
All that means is that it's available to the general public fairly cheaply, at that. Just hook it up and run the engine and the little thingy reads output.
A short circuit result if you run a wire from the battery positive terminal to the negative terminal.
Yup...that's a short, all right! Maybe a bit more?
Rod
RE: Auto Alternator load test ?
RE: Auto Alternator load test ?
RE: Auto Alternator load test ?
In an ideal world with ideal voltage sources but the source output impedance needs to be taken into account. With a non zero output impedance, as the short resistance tends to zero, the voltage across the short will tend to zero because of the voltage divider effect of the output impedance
RE: Auto Alternator load test ?
RE: Auto Alternator load test ?
Is it possible that when the OP is discussing "shorting" we are really talking about "full fielding" the alternator by "shorting" ( jumpering ) the "output" terminal to the "field" terminal, (regulator isolated from the alternator, of course).
This makes output voltage dependent on RPM
RE: Auto Alternator load test ?
The second method uses an algorithm to analyze voltage output with and without load to determine whether the generator is performing at specifications. This newer type tester checks output ripple and performs battery and starter tests without using a resistive load.
Regarding the term "short." Currently the electrical training material from John Deere makes a distinction between "ground" and "short." Ground is used to denote a circuit in which the positive leg has zero ohms of resistance (touches the ground side of the circuit). They use the term short to denote one circuit inappropriately connected to another (two wires "shorted" together).