Alternator Testing

[aceventura2225]

I have a m1008. I was wondering how to test the alternators. The Passenger side more. What terminals do you put the volt meter on and how much voltage should be coming out of it. I had the voltmeter hooked up and it was reading 20 something volts. i was confused because that doesnt tell me if it was charging. i know when i hook it up to the driver side alternator i get 14 volts which i know is charging. Im unsure about the passenger side though. ive been having battery problems. i recently had my passenger side alternator rebuilt and when i hooked it up it smoked out real bad and i need to check if it is ruined. If i have it rebuild what should i tell the rebuilder? is it a 24 volt alternator? i dont know why it smoked so bad. therefore, how do i check the alternators for charging?

 

[avengeusa]

smoke from an alternator is not a good sign

14 volts is good, 20 is an overcharge

 

[avengeusa]

PS

you can check voltage at the battery

or at the charge wire on the alternator, the bigger red one, not the 2 in the plug....

 

[rockspider]

Old thread but sounds like the pass side alt was not properly isolated on ground stud, maybe a mistake during first rebuild?
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