Alternator and amperage output question

[jblindy]

What should the amperage be at at idle and under load. When the engine is cold, I'm getting readings anywhere from 14.9 amps to 15.6 amps. That seems pretty high to me. The numbers come from one of those battery testers that plug into the cigarette lighter.

The reason I am asking is because on cold starts my battery gauge is reading really high, often poking into the red, but once she warms up the amps stablize to around 13.4 and the gauge reads normal.

The battery is newer, about a year old, can't remember the brand but it's from Advance.

I do run a 1000 watt amp with nothing inline, could that be putting to much strain on my alternator?

[squirrelishere]

My car does the same thing. Starts off high and then regulates itself. I'll post my thread of what my car does though, not sure if you got the same issue.

And I'm also running an amp with no cap.

[jblindy]

Sounds like you might.

[Lyle A]

You mean voltage not amperage. Amperage is dependent on load. Use a real meter and test it at the battery. Does the voltage drop coincide with the amp coming on?

[buttersz28]

all i can say is go to advanced and have them do and alt test and find out becuse i am not sure but your alt will be putting out anywhere from 90 to 120 amps at 2000 rpm . and the test you are doing is a static voltage test but the car has to be off and if the battery is good the reading will be3 between 12.45v to 12.8 volts but just go to advance and let them do it becuse most people don't have the right tool and scaners ok good luck