I'm headed to good ol' Radio Shack today to pick up a multimeter to check out my alternator, battery, etc. My only problem is that I don't know how to use it. I'm pretty sure that I understand the general idea behind the multimeter, but where should I connect the leads? How do I check my alternator? Battery? Any other things I should check while I've got it out and I'm playing around in there? Thanks very much!
Brian Hensarling

 

Dear Brian,
All this is explained and illustrated in my book. I do recommend you get it to help you with such projects.
However seeing as you do not have it here is a quick lesson.
The red lead is used for positive and the black lead for negative.
On the mulitmeter you select DC volts and select a range of 20V and turn the multimeter on. You should read the instructions withthemeter to ensure you have the correct settings.
Access your battery. Do not start your engine.
You put the red lead on the positive terminal of the battery and the black lead on the negative terminal. Read the voltage ont he scale and write it down.
Then start the engine. Do the same again and record the voltage. At idle it should not be less than 13.8V but let the engine run a little first before you check.
Then shut everything up and go for a drive of at least 15 minutes.
When you get home shut the engine off and check the battery voltage again. It should be circa 12.4 to 12.6V.
Ciao,
Adrian
964C4

 

Mr. Streather,
If it is explained and illustrated in your book, I am in luck. I ordered your book last week, and it is currently sitting in the base mail room. I live on a military base, and they don't deliver mail on the weekends, and sadly I just missed them on Friday. Oh well, I'll have it on Monday. Thank you for your help, I'll definitely check those voltages.