15.9 volts charging

hello, been having issues with my electrical system. i am pushing 15.7-15.9 volts to the battery from the alternator at warm idle. seems high to me, I am suspicious of the voltage regulator. Any ideas?

not super knowledgeable with electrical systems ?

Yup, that is too high. Sounds like a faulty voltage regulator. I would look into converting to an internal regulator type alternator, then you don't have the trouble prone external regulator. One of the best upgrades on a GM is to go to the 12si type alternator. I have heard of guys adapting these alternators to Ford and Chrysler engines as well.

If you are running one of the stock 2 wire voltage regulators, see what the voltage is on the IGN terminal on the regulator,,,,,,,if it is over 14.5 volts, try adding a ground wire to the voltage regulator and see if the battery voltage drops down to normal,,,,,,if the IGN terminal voltage is not the same as the battery voltage, you have a wiring problem......

The voltage regulator is located on the wall above where the steering column goes thru the floor. above the brake peddle about 1 1/2 "square black box , they make a replacement electronic voltage regulator, i can look it up for ya..
here is one from ebay.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Dodge-Charger-Challanger-Dart-Mopar-Voltage-Regulator-Electronic-Solid-State-/201249071310?pt=Vintage_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&fits=Make%3ADodge&hash=item2edb6120ce&vxp=mtr

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Mopar-Voltage-Regulator-Electronic-Solid-State-Correct-Restoration-Look-/121387031319?pt=Vintage_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&fits=Make%3ADodge&hash=item1c433b1b17&vxp=mtr

Dix is correct but you can buy those electronic regulators a lot cheap if you get them direct. Here's some info from a previous thread:

There is a solid state replacement for the old mechanical contacts type voltage regulator. It plugs into the same wiring, it's just solid state and is supposed to help with the gauge flutter and pulsing lights etc.

It's made/distributed by a company in Alabama called "Regitar", the part number is "C524", you can see it here.

You probably wont find these at your local parts house, Advance, O'Reilly, and AutoZone didn't have them close to me. They don't sell to the public but they gave me the number of a dealer that carries the part.

"J&N"
Contact number: 1-800-366-7100

J&N carries a lot of old electrical components from what they told me, starters, alternators etc.

The mechanical VR locally was $30-40, I got the solid state one for $8 + $10 or so for shipping/handling.

link to thread

thank you all for your help, i am gonna look into this week. ill start with the troubleshooting ideas and then replace it with the solid state VR to avoid issues in the future.

winterwolf227 wrote:thank you all for  your help, i am gonna look into this week.  ill start with the troubleshooting ideas and then replace it with the solid state VR to avoid issues in the future.

I'd pull your mechanical VR off the firewall and remove the cover for a visual inspection first thing. If the contacts are stuck together it will over charge at max capacity and can burn your wiring harness up, over charge the battery etc.

the contacts on mine were welded together on the top left corner