Are our alternators 12v or 14v? (1 Viewer)

[RogerIvy]

I need to get a new alternator, and as my old one is a refurb with no label (other than a refurb sticker) I have no idea of the specs.
I see on sites selling alternators we have a choice of 12v or 14v .... so what is normally installed on our motorhomes?

 

[pappajohn]

Haven't come across that before but both will output near to 15v at times.
The 14v version MAY be for AGM/lithium batteries but only a guess.

 

[Badknee]

What base make is it? Fiat/Ford/Merc etc.
Mine is 14.3v as I have a readout on my dash. Fiat with 2.8jtd Iveco engine.

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[RogerIvy]

What base make is it? Fiat/Ford/Merc etc.
Mine is 14.3v as I have a readout on my dash. Fiat with 2.8jtd Iveco engine.

Mine is an old '94 Fiat 2.5TD

 

[Badknee]

Mine is an old '94 Fiat 2.5TD

If yours is still operating then a meter across the battery terminals would tell you.
If it was built as a moho I would think it would be 14.3 to charge the hab battery as well as run the vehicle.

 

[autorouter]

Maybe the 12V alternator is the newer 'smart alternator' that doesn't completely fill the starter battery. The traditional alternator that fills the starter battery and has a jolly good go at filling the leisure battery is about 14.4V.

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[RogerIvy]

After searching for more info it would appear that there is no real difference which I find annoying. Apparently both operate at voltages of over 14v.
I'm planning to phone one or two places tomorrow for more info.

 

[Campervan_man]

I had a 2007 Honda CRV and the 'smart' engine alternator doesn't do much until you put it under 12V load, lights, fan, radio, wipers, air con etc.
When under load the voltage then ramps up like a traditional alternator.

 

[gus-lopez]

The 14v version MAY be for AGM/lithium batteries but only a guess.

My Kia Carnival (sedona) had a 14v 110A alternator as opposed to earlier 12v ones.

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[ChrisL]

A better question to ask perhaps is how many amps can the alternator provide, rather then how many volts, if you have a large bank of leisure batteries then you need an alternator that can supply enough amps to charge the batteries at a reasonable rate, better to be looking at it, then looking for it, as my old governor used to say.