Suzuki Club UK

When out and about today, the volt meter I have fitted was showing all sorts of readings. Anywhere from around 13.5V right down to about 11.3V

The voltage would tend to drop if I turned the heater fan speed up, and go up if I turned it off.

As regulators seem to be "set", does it just sound like the alternator needs a strip and good clean?

Also, I have a pair of LED spotlamps, and I thought the idea was to allow loads of light for very little power. I think they are 20W each. Well when I turn those on, it can knock the volt meter reading right down to the low 10V area, knocking about 2V from the electrical system.

Ideas?

Could be the regulator breaking down, stuck brushes or even just a dodgy wire/connection.

Give it a good strip and a clean.

I kinda wonder how many SJ's do this without us realising - anyone think this might be normal SJ behaviour? I kinda want a voltmeter now for mine...

I'm very curious!

Where is the voltmeter wired to?

Good question.

I can't actually remember, but I think it might be the supply to the cigarette lighter socket.

Does it matter?
Where should it be to?

It may make a difference, the cigarette lighter outlet comes through a fuse, I would want to verify the readings with a voltmeter connected directly across the battery. Is this an automotive voltmeter or just a cheap panel meter? automotive meters are usually quite heavily damped so you don't see transients.