Potential charging issue

[Ladaman]

When out and about today, the volt meter I have fitted was showing all sorts of readings. Anywhere from around 13.5V right down to about 11.3V

The voltage would tend to drop if I turned the heater fan speed up, and go up if I turned it off.

As regulators seem to be "set", does it just sound like the alternator needs a strip and good clean?

Also, I have a pair of LED spotlamps, and I thought the idea was to allow loads of light for very little power. I think they are 20W each. Well when I turn those on, it can knock the volt meter reading right down to the low 10V area, knocking about 2V from the electrical system.

Ideas?

[ScottieJ]

Could be the regulator breaking down, stuck brushes or even just a dodgy wire/connection.

Give it a good strip and a clean.

[Anton]

I kinda wonder how many SJ's do this without us realising - anyone think this might be normal SJ behaviour? I kinda want a voltmeter now for mine...

I'm very curious!

[Rhinoman]

Where is the voltmeter wired to?

[Ladaman]

Good question.

I can't actually remember, but I think it might be the supply to the cigarette lighter socket.

Does it matter?
Where should it be to?

[Rhinoman]

It may make a difference, the cigarette lighter outlet comes through a fuse, I would want to verify the readings with a voltmeter connected directly across the battery. Is this an automotive voltmeter or just a cheap panel meter? automotive meters are usually quite heavily damped so you don't see transients.