Posted by: Ken Merring ®
2001/09/26, 00:34:43
Author Profile
|
:Hi everybody! I have a question, which may sound crazy, but it is true. I have a voltmeter in my Mav that always reads low, about 12-12.5 volts, and when the lights go on or any of the accessories are on, it goes down from there. Is this normal? With all that on, if I read across the battery, with engine running, I get 13.5v as it charges. What should an amp meter read as it charges? The voltmeter in the car is connected to the accessory post on the fuse box. Should it be hooked up someplace else for a better reading, or am I concerned over nothing? Battery doesn't seem to be down any, and car starts fine. Any and all help appreciated. :Earl, Your reading a 1 volt drop between the battery and the accessory block. That's to much of a drop in my opinion for a wire that is about 4 feet long +/-. I would look at the wire end at the starter solinoid for broken strands etc. and even consider replacing that wire with a heaver gauge if no problem is found. Its in the bundle so it can be disconnected at both end and left in place.
As for charge rate, the max will be in the order of 30-40 amps right after starting, then depending on how fast the battery recovers, the reading will drop to a level near 5-10 amps depending on what is operating besides the ignition.
The current reading is dependent on the difference in voltage between the battery and the regulator setting. Example is at the time of starting, the battery is discharged to a lower voltage. It is now this difference that causes the high amp meter reading. Also any other current draw from lights, radio etc. take its current from the alternator while the engine is running.
Good luck, Ken
|
