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Old 04-24-2015, 02:45 PM   #13
marc hildebrant
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Join Date: May 2010
Location: Cape Cod
Posts: 1,128
Default Re: Ampmeter will not 'excite'

Quote:
Originally Posted by Tom Wesenberg View Post
At night just turn the lights on with the engine at fast idle, then kill the engine. If the lights dim as the engine dies, the alternator is working.

Better yet, just connect a volt meter to the alternator output and see if the voltage goes up after the engine is started. If not, then it needs to be repaired.
In addition, if the lights dim "a lot" when you stop the motor, then the battery is getting old.

Good general test.

Marc
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