Alternator issues

right then... here is how it generally goes -

Start the engine, the alternator reads 12volts, therefore not charging.
If you take the revs really high for a short amount of time you then get 13.4volts at the alternator, therefore is charging.
When you let the engine go back to tickover the voltage stays at 13.4volts.
How can this be? why would we need to rev the crap out of it to get the alternator to work properly?

We fitted a new internal regulator and bushes... checked the earth and wiring... not too sure what else to do. It makes no sense.

Is the alternator buggered?

Cheers!
Ben

Did you phone Peter GOod?

If not post this on SSVC as he will probably pop on and reply to you there

Yeh cheers buddy... Posted this just in case what he said didn't work... But it did! Yay! We are only getting 13.9volts now and it should be more like 14.4 with a new regulator but we don't have to rev the crap out of it! Yay!
Basically it was to do with the oil warning light and the generator light. Didn't realise that they needed to be working perfectly too. Think the cable had come off the oil warning light and the bulb was blown on the alternator light. Doh!!
All fixed now though!
Cheers for the info buddy. I'm going to put a recommendation on here for that guy as he was really helpful and his products are really good value too...
Thanks!

As I said above... This guy was really helpful. He didn't actually answer at first but then rang back which was great!
Check out the website - http://www.volksgoods.co.uk/contact.php

I recommend you use him. We definitely will be for future electrical wizardry. Alternators ate dirt cheap and postage is only £8 apparently.

Cheers

That's good to know Ben!!

I have emailed him about an issue I have and he is being very helpful... thanks to Ben too!!

He has a good reputation.

Didn't think of that myself but he's right, alternators needs a small excitation current before they will start charging, in a beetle this is supplied via the charging light.

I almost said that to Ben, but the fact it worked once reved up made me think it couldn't be that!