:beers: Howdy all! New to the site. Going thru all electrical in the 69 RS/SS. Gutted the dash and all wires/harnesses in pretty good shape.

I notice the voltmeter seems to read higher with higher RPM's. Once past say 3K, volts are pegged at 18 on the gauge. Bad voltage regulator? Bad ground?

Also, tach is outta whack past around 2K. Never gets above 3K and bounces all over, like the needle is doing the mambo. What voltage should I see for tach at idle and higher RPM's? Thanks all!

Welcome to the Club !! The most voltage one should see measured across the battery is 14.5-14.8 volts with igniton ON and engine running at 2K rpm.

The lowest measured voltage with all accessories on and at idle would be battery voltage.

As you read, the charging system wasn't the best, or is the best. The lowest amperage external regulated alternator supplied was a 37 amp. I have found one, and own, a 55 amp and did have a 63 amp. As far as providing more amperage, one would have to change to an internally regulated alternator, ie, 10SI (later 2nd Gen), 12SI (3rd Gen), or a CS130 (88-9? Chev/GM car/truck, can be up to 105 amps). Also, this will require uggrading the charge/supply wiring from #12 AWG to #8 AWG, the red wire running throughout the engine bay and dash/fuse box.

If you decide on updating, search this forum for schematics and hook-up of either style chosen.

Newbies buy first round.........

:beers: I notice the voltmeter seems to read higher with higher RPM's. Once past say 3K, volts are pegged at 18 on the gauge. Bad voltage regulator? Bad ground?

Also, tach is outta whack past around 2K. Never gets above 3K and bounces all over, like the needle is doing the mambo. What voltage should I see for tach at idle and higher RPM's? Thanks all!

I had BOTH of those problems when I first started getting things going after paint this spring. Problem was the regulator wasn't getting a ground, in fact, the entre rad support wasn't ground. Did some wierd things with the lighting, too. I fixed it by moving the small "pigtail" ground from the battery cable from the inner fender to the rad support. I also went thru and put lots of star washers under the rad support and innser fender bolts. They cut thru the new paint and gave me a good ground.

The other event you can do if you want to keep the OE alternator is to buy a replacement regulator, VR715. Works excellent as others have said.

Thanks, fellas! I am floored by your quick response time!! Paint is new, and I've seen probs with grounds throughout. A quick look shows poor ground at voltage regulator. I'll break out the star washer set and let you guys know how she works out. Thanks again!