Battery charging problems

[Mr.Tom]

My battery won't charge!! Well, not strictly true. It won't charge when in my van! Charges up fine indoors.

I've checked for earth leaks and found none, I've tested the voltage across the battery when the engine is running, and when I rev the engine, the voltage doesn't change.

This leads me to believe that either the alternator or the regulator has died...

The generator light does not come on at any point but the battery is dead after about 15 minutes of having the headlights on.

Any ideas how I could find out which one it is?


Thanks
Tom

PS it's a 1700 type4 engine

[raygreenwood]

By starting the car once you have recharged the battery...and removing the positive cable...hook your volt meter up between the two battery terminals. BRIEFLY rev the engine to about 1500 rpm. You should get no less than 13.5 volts. If it is 11.5 or 12...you are not putting out enough juice. That can very well mean either the regulator or the alternator. t that point, unless you have an ammeter....its best to remove the alternator and take it down to the FLAPS for load testing (pep-boys and auto zone do this free). If it will put out listed amps...its the regulator. It usually is. Ray