My battery runs at 12 volts, is this bad???

[Harbin1]

When my engine is off with the ignition on, my voltmeter is at the edge of the red. I scanned it to see what the voltage was and it showed 12 volts. I've got a 450 watt stereo with a 1 farad cap and a high output alternator. I believe the alt puts out around 160 amps (but I'm not sure what it puts out at idle, I assume that's max output).

When driving around, the voltmeter stays in the middle. But sometimes when I come to a stop, the meter dips down into the red but stays at the edge. If it's at night, the lights dim ever so slightly. I've upgraded my battery cables to 4 ga (from the alt to the battery, batt to distribution block, and dist block to the amps). The new cables didn't help the problem either.

Any ideas on how to get my voltage up?

Or is this not neccessarily a bad thing?

Last one: Could I somehow modify my electrical system to run at 14 volts? (my dad's new Silverado runs around 14)

[vtv6firebird]

Well, with no load(stereo off) and the car not running(key in off position) you shold be seeing approximately 13.6 volts on a new or fully charged battery. With the car running the alternator will raise this level to 14.4 volts. I get dips to when my car is running, its when I step on the brake when coming to a stop, the drop in RPM's create less power from the alt. plus the brake lights suck alot of power real quick, plus the stereo. So that is the temporary dip.

If you are concerend that the voltage is too low, dont worry unless you have some kind of problems, as long as your car starts and you are not geting any types or problems you are most likely fine, and your readings are just off from poor measuring equipment. There is no real way to get the voltage up. This is assuming your battery and alternator are in working condition. Take it to autozone or advance auto to get the free battery-alt test.

I know for a fact that the voltage guage in the dash is inaccurate and varries with temperature. So I really wouldnt ever trust its readings. Clean connections at the battery and alternator are a plus too for maximum output.

If you have any more questions just shoot me an email at jdrummon@vt.edu

[Dominic]

With no load like that and no charging going on the battery should be between 12-13V... you are 100% fine.

The voltage dip you get while cruising is due to the GM crapass voltage regulator. A lot of people have fixed it with a new battery though, but I wouldn't worry myself as all GM's from the grand prix to the corvette do it!

[calvo]

a battery's charge is as follows
12.6v = 100%
12.4v = 75%
12.2v = 50%
12.0v = 25%
11.8V & lower = 0%
the alternator should be around 14v (on some newer cars it can be as high as 18v)wile its charging the battery ;)

[Takumi Fujiwara]

My battery sits at about 9v when the car is off, it sits in the yellow/ low marker. My car starts faster tahn anyone I know even with the low bt. and ur Voltage cap is holding charge as well, so u wont have a signifigantly drained battery.

[02_camaro_rs_silver_bullet]

i have a stock radio.. and i still have problems with the voltage.... almost everytime i hit the brakes the lights dim... when i turn my foglights on, when i change gears when i open the door..... it's really annoying!!!! maybe a new battery would fix/?? although i only have 2600 miles on car....

[Harbin1]

The voltage reading I'm going off of is with my Auto Xray diagnostic scanner. I need to hook an ohmeter across the battery and get a more accurate reading. I know most amplifiers are rated at 12v and then at 14.4v. "Cheater" amps are rated at the 12v but then you should be able to hook them up to a 14.4v system and get more power. I'm sort of hoping to accomplish this upgrade somehow.

Is there any way to replace the voltage regulator in my alternator without getting a completely new one? Couldn't I just switch out the regs? I've already got a hi-output alt but it seems to be a bit weak at idle.

My car starts up every time but I'm a little hesitant to leave the stereo running while I'm working on my car. (Gotta have tunes!) A guy at the local parts store can sell me a Optima yellow top for about $150, new. Would that help much?

[stagen]

<blockquote>quote:</font><hr>Originally posted by Harbin1:
When my engine is off with the ignition on, my voltmeter is at the edge of the red. I scanned it to see what the voltage was and it showed 12 volts. I've got a 450 watt stereo with a 1 farad cap and a high output alternator. I believe the alt puts out around 160 amps (but I'm not sure what it puts out at idle, I assume that's max output).

When driving around, the voltmeter stays in the middle. But sometimes when I come to a stop, the meter dips down into the red but stays at the edge. If it's at night, the lights dim ever so slightly. I've upgraded my battery cables to 4 ga (from the alt to the battery, batt to distribution block, and dist block to the amps). The new cables didn't help the problem either.

Any ideas on how to get my voltage up?

Or is this not neccessarily a bad thing?

Last one: Could I somehow modify my electrical system to run at 14 volts? (my dad's new Silverado runs around 14)<hr></blockquote>

Part, of the problem is that the ground likes to path to least resistance. If you have upgraded your ground to 4 gauge ,then you have created a path with a bit more resitanace. step back to 8 gauge and see. Regardless you will always see a dip in volatage at a stop unless you run seperate battery (gel cell) for your amps and accessories.

[02_camaro_rs_silver_bullet]

well i don't have any accessories.. and my voltage likes to move around alot especially when i hit the brakes with the lights on... is there anything i can do to stop this.... i know alot of people have this problem....??? new battery?

[yates98]

Re: My battery runs at 12 volts, is this bad???

I am having a very strange problem my charge is from 12-13 then it goes to 16-17 is that bad if its charging that high

[BLLDOGG]

Re: My battery runs at 12 volts, is this bad???

upgrading your ground to 4 gauge would not cause more resistance, it would cause less unless he went with a smaller wire than factory. your battery voltage sounds fine to me. I would recommended you change that ground wire to something bigger like 4 gauge if that is not smaller like i said.