TESTING AN ADVERC, ALTERNATOR & CHARGING SYSTEM – USING AN ADVERC TEST LEAD.

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Purpose

An ADVERC test-lead enables a number of voltage readings to be taken at various terminations to check the functionality of an Adverc charging system. This simple approach also obviates the previous inconvenience and impracticality of having to insert multimeter probes into the back of plugs and sockets, to obtain these readings.

Recommended Procedure

1.) Insert the test-lead between the Adverc unit plug and 9-pin socket on the harness.

2.) Before starting the engine, measure and record the actual battery voltage – the one to which the Adverc red battery sense lead is connected.

3.) Using a multimeter, measure the DC voltage across the following leads:

• Red/Black
• Brown/Black
• Blue/Black
• Green/Black
• Yellow/Black
• Red/Blue

The Red /Black reading should be the same as in step 2.

4.) Start the engine and maintain the rpm just above idle i.e. so that the alternator is ‘producing’. Switch-off all electrical loads.

5.) Allow the Adverc to ‘cycle’ i.e. after 5 minutes, both the battery voltage and Red/Black voltage should jump by approximately 0.4 volts.

6.) Repeat 3.

7.) Disconnect the Adverc, whilst the engine is running – it is safe to do so.

8.) Repeat 3.

9.) Switch-off the engine.

With the Adverc plug still disconnected, using a multimeter on a Kohms setting, measure the resistance between the two white leads. The reading should be between 4 and 10 Kohms.

10.) Typical readings for a 12 volt system are as follows:

Note:

(a) Red/Black voltages vary with ambient temperature.

(b) Green/Black readings can vary, depending on the polarity of the Adverc, the state of charge of the battery and if any electrical loads are applied.

(c) Red/ Blue values should be no more than 0.3 volts. The ideal value is zero, indicating no voltage losses in the system. Voltage losses in the positive line will be compensated for by the Adverc system. However, the Adverc will not compensate for any losses in the negative return, resulting in lower Red/Black voltages e.g. 14.2, instead of 14.4, reducing charging performance.

(d) Voltage losses in the negative return can be checked by measuring the voltage between alternator negative and the battery negative terminal. This ideally, should be zero and not greater than 0.1 volts, for optimum charging performance.