What is the normal current for car power generation?
2 Answers
For car power generation current, domestic cars below 40mA and high-end cars below 80mA are considered normal. The detection of car power generation current is as follows: 1. Turn off all electrical equipment, including doors and anti-theft devices, disconnect the positive cable of the battery, and gently touch the terminal. If there is no spark or it is very faint and barely visible, it means the car itself is not discharging. If the spark is obvious, you need to find a certain electrical device that is self-discharging. 2. 1. First, check whether the battery terminals have poor contact. If there are oxides, pour boiling water over them, and the oxides will disappear. 2. Go to the battery dealer or repair shop to check whether the battery's power storage condition is normal. If the battery is aged or damaged, it can be detected. 3. Check whether there is a grounding or leakage in the wiring. If there is a discharge, a system check can solve the problem. 4. Check whether the generator is working properly, i.e., when the vehicle is running, disconnect the positive terminal of the battery. If the vehicle stalls, it proves that the generator is not generating power, and vice versa.
When I first bought my car, I was also very concerned about the alternator current and asked a mechanic. Under normal conditions, a passenger car's alternator outputs around 40 to 60 amps at idle, and may rise above 100 amps when driving with some load. If the current is too strong, it can easily blow the circuit fuse; if it's too weak, the battery won't charge fully, and a warning light will come on when power is insufficient. In actual use, SUVs or larger vehicles tend to have slightly higher outputs due to their model type, while electric vehicles operate on different current modes, but the basic values are similar. To check, use a multimeter to measure the battery terminal voltage—normal readings between 13.5 and 14.8 volts indicate stable current. Regularly inspecting the alternator belt for wear can prevent faults. If unstable current is detected, it's best to visit a professional shop immediately to avoid damaging components.
