2011 Focus Alternator Query

[hopetimist]

Hi all, advice please. I have a 2011 Focus 1.6 estate, and had a flat battery last week. The car is run daily. I got the battery replaced, and was given the alternator readings of 15.02 no load, 14.66 load, and was told this is on the high side. Is this true?

What is the correct range for an alternator? Do I have a problem?

[Booster]

12-14 is normally the correct range

[hopetimist]

Is that loaded or not loaded?

[Booster]

14 peak (unloaded)

can drop to anywhere between 12 and 13 (loaded)

[hopetimist]

Thanks

[jeebowhite]

That is correct and high.

The Ford Smart Charge system puts out around 14.5v.

With load of many items it should be down to about 11.

It sounds like the alternator is probably faulty and will need replacing, you could do this yourself (recently another member of the forum had a not too disimilar situation, all the garages told him its not the alternator at all). He bought a £20 alternator from a scrappy, got it fitted and went to wipe the results in the faces of the garage who said it wasnt and could never possibly be the alternator :p