charging issues

hi I got a bit of a puzzle at the moment,I have a series 3 109 ex military, firstly when my engine is running there is no voltage change when my meter is across the battery, but the charge light goes out, the previous owner changed the engine from the 2.25na to a 2.5td and bodged the electrics up, he told me that the alternator was new, any ideas or thoughts would be appreciated,I have looked through the forum at similar issues but still cannot solve it,

regards Paul

What voltage reading are you getting across the battery? Are you saying it's not charging at all?

hi, the meter is reading 12.4, Im sure its not charging, i got the landrover last weekend and the battery was flat by thursday, I drove her on sunday and monday for about 20 miles then went to work in her on thursday with the lights on (about 1.5 miles) then she would not start at home time, jumped her off got home charged battery and she has started over the weekend,
regards Paul

You might need to give it some revs to get it to show charging voltage. My light goes out about 800rpm but doesn't really start to charge until 1200 or so. I think my new alternator has a slightly over size pulley. Might be the same with yours?

The charge light will go out as soon as the alternator starts to create a charge.

Check that the heavy cable from the alternator goes to the same connection bolt on the starter solenoid as the battery power cable.

Then check your earths between the battery, the engine block and the chassis.

Hope this helps.

My alternator knocks out 13.5V to 14V dependant on revs and electrical load 12.5 is too low.
Is it the 2.5 alternator fitted or the ex military?
If you have just bought it had it stood along time before sale as battery could be poor.

thanks for your feedback, as far as I know the alternator is a new one that the previous owner fitted when he did the engine change, I have put a charge through the battery re fitted it and it was fine for a couple of days, but would the battery condition determine at what rate it is charged, Im have a look at it today so i will let you know what I come across,
sorry forgot to mention one thing i did notice was a short earth strap that would just about reach the back of the starter, (would this be safe to attatch?)
regards Paul

Yes ... as long as it is the earth strap!

It sounds as though your battery is in reasonable nick if it will turn your engine over for a couple of days, so I would be inclined to concentrate on on the charge circuit.

You should get a voltage at the battery of between 13.8V and 14.4V with the engine running.

Hi, thanks for your feedback, I will hopefully be having a look over the weekend if the wife stops giving me jobs around the house and in the bloody garden, will update when I can and thanks again,
regards Paul