1965 Dodge Coronet Alt gauge needle shows overcharge at high RPM

[finz68]

The battery on my 1965 Coronet is only a few years old and is on a trickle charge when parked. The Alt gauge is right at TDC at idle but any increase of RPM the needle stays to the right (similar to attached pic #1). After checking, the alternator is charging above 15v when the engine revs. Some car show buddies suggested that my voltage regulator needs replacement but I should get an adjustable one, not a stock replacement. Any thoughts? Thank you!

 

[493 Mike]

I would not worry too much about condition. OEM alternators were about 37 ampere output.
Mike

 

[AR67GTX]

Is it a mechanical or electronic voltage regulator? Some (most) of the electronic regulators overcharge in the 15 volt range. But may not necessarily be a voltage problem.

Actually 493 Mike makes a good point. But does it have a stock, round back alternator on it?

 

[Don Frelier]

I like the squareback alternator and a solid state regulator.
You only need to run one more wire.
Those old points style voltage regulators don't do real well.

 

[R/T Boy 67]

Disconect and check the voltage at the ign. wire on the regulator, if it is lower than battery voltage, it will overcharge.

 

[Don Frelier]

Disconect and check the voltage at the ign. wire on the regulator, if it is lower than battery voltage, it will overcharge.

Good point.

 

[RJRENTON]

The battery on my 1965 Coronet is only a few years old and is on a trickle charge when parked. The Alt gauge is right at TDC at idle but any increase of RPM the needle stays to the right (similar to attached pic #1). After checking, the alternator is charging above 15v when the engine revs. Some car show buddies suggested that my voltage regulator needs replacement but I should get an adjustable one, not a stock replacement. Any thoughts? Thank you!

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B4 looking for "overcharging" issues, are you sure of the calibration of the instrument?? Not sure you know because there is no scale to say how much if any overcharging condition exists. Just because there is a needle's movement on an uncalibraed instrument The instrument is just a visual indicator not a quantitative device...no scale....IMO....just replace the mechanical voltage regulator with a solid state device that resembles the OEM.....or spend hours looking for bad grounds, corroded bulkhead connectors, loose wiring, parasitic connections.......
BOB RENTON