Battery voltae with car running

[RickM]

Battery voltage with car running

My VOM reads about 14.5 volts at the battery terminals with the car running.

Is this a bit high?

I noticed that the cars stock volt gauge was reading almost 15V with the car running. The needle is not in the red zone but kind of close.

I don't think I have anything to worry about since everything seems to be working fine as far as electronics are concerned, no battery issues etc...

With car off VOM reads about 13.2 volts.

Does this sound normal?

Thanks
RickM

 

[muscl car]

My VOM reads about 14.4 volts at the battery terminals with the car running.

Is this a bit high?

I noticed that the cars stock volt gauge was reading almost 15V with the car running. The needle is not in the red zone but kind of close.

I don't think I have anything to worry about since everything seems to be working fine as far as electronics are concerned, no battery issues etc...

With car off VOM reads about 13.2 volts.

Does this sound normal?

Thanks
RickM

That's actually recommended voltage !!

 

[Gary S]

14.5v is good for hot weather. In cold weather, you might find it running at 15-16v, and that is normal to charge a cold battery.

 

[mrdragster1970]

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Your meter might be a smidge off?? A brand new car battery is usually 12.5-12.6.
I always check when buying and always get the 2 highest & closest in voltage, and I never seen one above that.
My trucks all use 2 battery's.


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[Bikefixr]

Your factory volt gauge draws off the point of highest load which is the choke point after the regulator. GM does this so that the regulator sees voltage at the point of highest draw. Your #'s are just fine.

 

[RickM]

Thanks for all the responses.

I double checked my battery voltage last night with the car off.

Meter read 12.6V.

So I think everything is fine.

RickM

 

[mrdragster1970]

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12.6 is excellent.
I also load test mine on a regular basis.
I've had many battery's over 12 volts that were junk.
Including one of my trucks with dual battery's???
I have no idea how one goes bad, other then it was internal issue when built.
I checked it regularly and both were over 12 volts, but it kept starting slower and slower.
So I load tested and yep, one was junk.
Like I said, when I bought them, they were exact same voltage to the hundredth.


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[McCune]

14.5v is good for hot weather. In cold weather, you might find it running at 15-16v, and that is normal to charge a cold battery.

Really, 16Volts ? I have yet seen a healthy charging system read that high unless there is a issue.

The system voltage will vary with extreme temperatures but shouldn't ever go past 15 volts .

14.5 is a mostly likely from a cold reading ,check it again at operating temperature.


Jim

 

[mrdragster1970]

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Good catch, I didn't notice that.
I don't really remember anything much over 14 volts.
15-16 and I would freak out about it boiling???


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