'nother wierd charging controversey

[danzo]

After driving my T4wd all day yesterday with the glorious a/c on, the charge and brake lights lit up about two miles from home (luckily). So this morning I took a look - old battery had electrolite leaking from it and it read 4V. No crank or any other activity at all. Smurfed in a new battery, idle voltage seemed normal at ~13.8 (maybe a bit low), but it was charging at 17V (!) above 2000 or so rpm with no accessories on. Is this normal, can't find any info in the FSM? Could this ruin an otherwise OK battery? I think my alt may still be under warrantee.

[Petros]

that happens when the voltage regulator fails. IT will over charge the batt and boil out all the liquid, almost certainly damaged the battery. It should not charge at more than about 14v or so. Max battery output is 13.2 (2.2 volts per cell x 6 cells).

I would take the alternator back if it is the one with the built-in regulator. Otherwise sounds like you need a new voltage regulator. Not likely they will replace your battery unfortunately.

[danzo]

Thanks for the info Petros. O'Reilly's was good enough to give me another alternator sans reciept, and it works as it should. The battery that was ruined was a $20 used one I bought about 2 years ago so I feel I got my use out of it. Charge-wise my Terc should be golden for awhile. Coulda been worse.