1600 xflow battery problems?

[1300e ian]

Hi when i start the engine without reving it so just off the key it starts up but the battery light is on and the multimeter is reading the same reading as it did before i started it.

If i tap the throttle and rev then let it tick over again it the light goes off and the multimeter reading has gone up to 14v. Is that normal?

Also when i turn things on it stays around 13.8v but headlights take it down to 12.6?

The alternator is a 15ac lucus and has been recond. The battery is new

Thanks

[Vista]

Yes it's quite common for the alternator to need a little "kick" to excite it so I wouldn't worry about that. However, switching the lights on dropping the voltage to 12.6v isn't quite so good, is it quite a low output alternator?

[1300e ian]

Its a 35amp the guy who reconditioned it said it wasnt a very powerful alternator but should be ok as its the one that came off it.

Wipers fan even side lights are ok but headlights just through it down to about 12.6v.

If i rev it up with them on it does go up to 14v its just when its ticking over

[Vista]

If it's just when ticking over, I wouldn't worry about it too much. Though if you're planning any upgrades, spots, stereo etc, then I would definitely up the alternator size as 35 amp is indeed very small. I run a 55 amp one on my mk1 RS and an 80 amp one on my van

[Fiesta Steve]

If the engine starts everytime it's fine

[1300e ian]

Cheers guys im going to use it for work this week so will see how it goes.

[iandq]

hi, even at 12.6 volts, it is still trickle charging and covering demand,so if your battery is healthy you probably won't have any problems, if you do, just get yourself a bigger alternator at the time.

cheers, ian.

[1300e ian]

Cheers ian. It is slightly higher volts than with the engine off so at least the battery shouldnt be going flat