Wow you are so detailed, good job 👍🏾 you covered everything I wanted to know. A bit long but all good quality information

I don't know if that alternator has brushes or not, but I have had them do that before and I found out that if you start the engine and give the alternator a whack sometimes the light will go out, hopefully long enough to get you home. What happens is the brushes are worn out and are not contacting the armature properly, and a thump will sometimes allow the brush springs to push them out.

Good advice Anth. Free wheeling alternator pulleys (if fitted) can cause intermittent charging as they fail as well. Most newer models have these as an OEM fuel economy boost, but they usually don't outlast the alternator.

You have mentioned in the past that you are interested in faster charging. I suggest that you have a look at a Wakespeed WS 500.. new technology to replace the alternator regulator.

LOL the battery light has caught me before... saw it, thought oh ok battery is dying better get that looked at... while I was driving from Armadale to Brisbane (not in a Prado). Glad I didn’t stop too much, big battery actually got me home and I started to drive to work the next day when it finally died. 😆 Shame I killed a battery tho.

Great vid as always mate. Just wandering what vaultage meter do you recommend for the home mechanic.

Here in the Philippines batteries last only 2 to 3years and cost a small fortune..i guess the year round hot weather kills them..

Another important factor is when starting the engine what does the voltage read under starting load.

How often the alternator goes bad?

title should be "How to tell if your alternator is working or not" not "How to check your alternator charge rate which this video doesn't even answer or even test for or find out from some label (if there is one) on the alternator that tells the current output.

Had an alternator light coming on intermittently..... Long story short it ended up being the battery sense wire issue in the loom that runs under the pulleys.

after market alternator. or weak amp alternator. 60 amps alternator( off road through water or mud will easy destroy aftermarket cheap low amp alternator) if the alternator or red lights on dash flash. even charge rate good 13.8 or 14.2. i bet 3 weeks your alternator toast. happen to my patrol through experience

Dejavu :o