Now that I have gauges, when the car is at idle, my voltage output hovers between 12.8 and 13.5 volts... depending on what I have on in the car.

A little more juice to assist with the lights, radio, a/c, etc would be great... especially at night with the healights on... I have the upgraded headlight harness w/ relays... and that helps.

I always thought the standard voltage for a running car was 14-15 volts. Is this correct? What is the maximum limit? Is is safe to push it to said limit? What benefits are there to be gained?

I like and want to pick-up Dave Barton's adjustable, remote voltage regulator (www.linkline.com/personal/dbarton) and was wondering if there were any opinions on the subject.

Peace & Love, Jon

Do what a lot of these guys have said and check connections of the wires as well as brushes.
If you still keep putting out lower voltage, a adjustable voltage regulator may not be the way to go.
The low voltage may be a sign that your alternator is on its last legs and due for replacement soon.
An adjustable regulator will only cause a weak alternator to work even harder and fail faster.

radio? as in stock radio or volt sucking AMP and powered sub radio? My voltmeter reads a good 14.6 at idle with no accessories on.I have a fairly new battery,good clean cables and grounds and new alt brushes/voltage reg.When I have the stereo(w/amp),lights/fogs,fan,wipers and rear defrost on,that's a different story.AC hasn't functioned since I bougt the car but not really needed in Maine.
I want one of Dave's varying voltage regulators too.I also need to add relays the headlights and fogs.
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philvo '86 245 218k,'90 240 198k,'87 SAAB 900 SPG 213k

the first thing you might want to try is cleaning up the battery terminals. a new battery might also give a little more voltage. If your still looking for more voltage another possibilty could be a higher capacity alternator.
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1990 240 Sdn 277K,tach,strut brace,turbo sway 1990 240 Wgn M47II 157K,tach,strut brace,poly bushings,IPD sways,bilsteins

What's the voltage at the alternator?
If your connections are bad a lot of voltage will be dropped between the alternator and the voltmeter.
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Jim McDonald