Started out, alternator died. It was a rebuilt one from PepBoys, only about 2 months old. Bought one at AdvancedAuto, ran real hot and made noise. Got another one from them, alternator seemed like it was working (voltage gauge was just above 13) then later on when i drove it out it sunk back down abit, so THAT alternator isn't working. Is it the alternators or is it my car? The battery is brand new. Is there some kind of external regular? what could it be? any help appreciated.. have to keep charging the battery to get to work.

Rob

 

the regulator is inside the alternator.
first thing you need to do is check for a current draw, anything over 50ma is too much, the lower the better.

if i have a car that has problems with the battery going dead or has killed the alternator, i check the current draw, if its too high, i ask about any parts recently installed, next i look for aftermarket parts such as alarm systems & sound systems. i have only seen 1 alarm system cause a dead battery, i have lost count of improperly wired or bad components in the sound system cause it.

 

Could be that the voltage feedback wire to the alternator has a blown fusible link. I had this happen on my car, and the alternator would either put out too much or nothing at all.