Clamping my alternator

[MIKE-2U]

Hello everyone,

I recently bought a Singer 250 amp alternator for my Pontiac G6. I have no doubt in my mind that it does or exceeds what i am told and what i paid for. I really just want my own satisfaction and to learn some new tricks. I currently have this clamp meter

http://www.sears.com/craftsman-digital-clamp-on-ammeter/p-03482372000P?prdNo=3&blockNo=3&blockType=G3

Can i clamp the alternator with it ? I have tried it , played system close to full tilt, and voltage down to the 13.5s and still with the max hold set to on i only get a reading of 7 amps or so. I usually will have it in the 20 amp postion. Someone shed some light on my NOOBISH mistake,

thanks.

[SnowDrifter]

Either use a large load tester to place a ~400 amp load on your electrical and clamp it that way

Or how I like to do mine (only if you have a large battery charger)

Turn your ignition on, turn on your lights, defroster, fog lights, head lights, and the blower to max and leave your car until the voltage goes to ~11-11.5v. Then start your car and quickly take the readings you need. dead-ish batteries will present a load to the alternator.

Then turn your car off and charge your batteries

If you are only getting a small positive reading through the clamp meter, flip it around so the wire will go front-back instead of back-front for example.

Edit: Just realized your clamp only does AC current. Looks like you are out of luck. See if you can find someone around you that has a DC clamp?

Edited July 8, 2012 by SnowDrifter

[Loslam]

From what I see, that's only an AC clamp meter. Your alternator does DC power

[Wicks]

Alternators output DC current which is much more expensive to measure. Given an amps draw, it will be somewhat pulsed, but it is DC.

If possible you need a constant resistive load that can take a very high current.

[MIKE-2U]

From what I see, that's only an AC clamp meter. Your alternator does DC power

OMG ! lolz your right, does the clamp meter need to say true rms though ??

[MIKE-2U]

Alternators output DC current which is much more expensive to measure. Given an amps draw, it will be somewhat pulsed, but it is DC.

If possible you need a constant resistive load that can take a very high current.

Soo i can use this meter orr what ?

[SnowDrifter]

Alternators output DC current which is much more expensive to measure. Given an amps draw, it will be somewhat pulsed, but it is DC.

If possible you need a constant resistive load that can take a very high current.

Soo i can use this meter orr what ?

Not for clamping your alty

[Loslam]

I don't know about the quality, but this would be what you'd need to get instead of the one you currently have:

http://www.sears.com/craftsman-digital-clamp-on-ammeter/p-03482369000P?prdNo=2&blockNo=2&blockType=G2

[MIKE-2U]

Thanks everyone for the quick responses, Found out my grandpa has one i will try tomorrow and see what happens!

[Mario928]

Thanks everyone for the quick responses, Found out my grandpa has one i will try tomorrow and see what happens!

Did you get a reading on your alt.?