How to test alternators?

[4Paws]

I want to test my alternator as my Surf seems to be leaking electricity, So how do i go about testing it and what do i need?

[Swamped]

You need a meter to measure output to see if its charging etc etc. If you havn't got access to one just hit up an auto electrician and they should do the readings for free.
It could also be that your battery could be getting tired...Check the water level in it and if its sweet you can have em load tested at the electricians also.... When mine started to crap themselves, if i didn't drive for a couple days i had to jump it but stop starts on the same day were fine. It got progressively worse and worse till it would be flat within a minute after a long drive.
All the tests i had done were free but i still had to buy a battery lol

Doug....

[4Paws]

have access to a multimeter, I own three of them just need to know what to expect from the readings for a healthy or dodgy alternator.

[Heath]

Bat when engine stopped should be around 12v, when running the voltage should rise to 14v (ish). That was what I did to test my hilux one ages ago and found the voltage wasnt going up. With the engine running the voltage slowly ticked down from full charge (done with bat charger). Bat was fine just the alternator was poked. When fixed the voltage when running was about 14.4v.

Heath

[4Paws]

Thats easy Thanks for that