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When start your car, the charging system of the car is working in a normal way. However, there are many ways to charge perfectly, which can be checked by a multimeter. Multimeter is a useful tool for checking the car charging system. Using a digital multimeter for testing the charging system for your car needs some technique. I can show you based on real experience for checking the charging system by a digital multimeter. Here are some tips and hacks on testing the charging system.
TESTING CHARGING SYSTEM
A charging system can be checked by a multimeter, and you can test your voltage as well as motor speed. The common thing to check the charging system is to need knowledge about the parts.
I clearly remember my first car, which I once test the charging system. I then used a multimeter and checked the parts by the pointer, which are two types of, one was black, and the other was red. First, you have to start the motor until it starts with normal operating speed and then turns it off.
The pointers of the screen will go up if the engine speed is in normal. If you want to know how you can test perfectly, then, you have to follow these ways to test completely. There are three ways to test the charging system rightly.
- Battery test
- Alternators test
- AC leakage test
A. BATTERY TEST
The first thing you can do for testing the charging system is to test the battery with a multimeter. It’s really easy to check the battery with the multimeter.
I sometimes checked my car’s battery with a multimeter while adjusting the tester in a normal mood then turn it to the car battery, and the pointer shows it’s all right as it moves.
If you see the pointer doesn’t moving while checking the car’s battery, it means the battery of your car is dead, or the charging is losing.
Maybe, you do not understand now, but after reading this the article, you will be expert in using a multimeter. Here are some key points which will help you to check the battery test:
- The first step is to adjust the pointer to the multimeter. If the multimeter shows you an upbeat test, it means the battery is stable, and if the multimeter shows a downbeat test, it means the battery is fully charged or dead.
- Then you have to set the tester in the clockwise battery form, and then if the result shows you 9.6 volts or more, it means your car is perfect to use and can be charged again.
- However, if your the result shows you under 9.6 volts, it means your car is fully charged, and the battery is at risk. You have to put a new battery for better playability.
B. ALTERNATORS TEST
An alternator has a part which joints the control circuit, a battery, and a pulley. However, it seems hard to check or test with a multimeter, but in reality, it’s easy.
My car experience was so much fun when I put the tester in the battery section and watch the good result. However, if you are new to this, you have to follow these rules for better testing.
You have to put the red one on the negative side, and the black one should be on the ground side and then test the volt.
And then you can also check the screen if it’s okay or not then take actions. Here are some steps to follow for better testing alternator parts in the right way:
- The first thing is to set the tester in the multimeter and joint it perfectly. You have to put the black one to the battery and the red one needed to be in the ammeter. Then you have to check the volts which needed to be 13.8 to 15.3 volts. It’s the standard amount, which indicates it’s perfect in use and can be a charge.
- However, if your volts are below 13.8 to 15.3, then it means your battery is needed to be changed, or the battery is in terrible shape. You have to adjust a new one to work better.
C. AC LEAKAGE TEST
AC leakage needs a very high sensitivity meter for better testing. Testing with AC leakage is simple as it needed method just like alternators.
Testing AC leakage with a multimeter first needs to check the current, and then you can check the volt by it. While testing AC leakage, it felt hard as I wasn’t doing the perfect steps which lead me nothing but wasting time.
My father was a champ with these types of mechanical terms, and he helped me to understand the part and the workability.
Yeah, a newbie may feel it’s really complicating, but in reality, it’s a piece of cake so don’t worry just follow the procedure to do it rightly. Here are some steps which will guide you through testing AC leakage rightly and quickly:
- First, you have to measure the AC voltage by connecting your digital multimeter to AC, and you have to connect the black tester to the ground, on the other hand, the red one needed to be connected to the back of the alternator. If the alternator is less than 0.5VAC, then it means it’s in good shape and can be run for a long time.
- Then disconnect the battery and the multimeter for safety. If your result shows higher than 0.5VAC, then it means your alternators diodes is dead or not in good shape. You have to repair or get a new one.
VERDICT!
Final words, testing a charging system with multimeter needs a lot of safety matter as it can injure both you and the car.
The main thing is to wear some gloves or a rubber shoe before testing the charging system. Also, if you don’t have a multimeter, then gets one which has the right sense. Always wear protecting gears and accessories for testing with a multimeter.
Also, never forget to check the best multimeter review for better judgment on buying a multimeter or voltage tester. You can also watch some YouTube video or reviews on sites for buying or learning perfectly.
I hope this article on using a digital multimeter for testing the charging system of your car helped you for checking rightly and you understand the procedure correctly. Good luck!