the12volt.com spacer
the12volt.com spacer
the12volt.com spacer
the12volt.com spacer
icon

auto volt gauge reading


Post ReplyPost New Topic
< Prev Topic Next Topic >
catken 
Member - Posts: 11
Member spacespace
Joined: August 04, 2011
Location: Minnesota, United States
Posted: October 14, 2011 at 9:48 AM / IP Logged  
Just installed a volt gauge on my Colorado V8. It reads 15.5 while driving. Been told it seems a bit high. If so what can I do about it.
Phreak480 
Copper - Posts: 84
Copper spacespace
Joined: June 12, 2003
Location: United States
Posted: October 14, 2011 at 11:32 AM / IP Logged  
have you checked this reading against a known good voltmeter (the handheld kind one uses for diagnosing electronics, not the kind you mount in your dashboard)? Start there and see what you get.
jmelton86 
Gold - Posts: 1,228
Gold spacespace
Joined: February 07, 2007
Location: South Carolina, United States
Posted: October 14, 2011 at 11:41 AM / IP Logged  
Does the meter have a calibration knob on it somewhere?
2013 Kia Rio -90a alternator
DDX470HD GTO14001 GTO1014D (x3)
Big3 in 1/0G
1/0G to GTO14001
oldspark 
Gold - Posts: 4,913
Gold spacespace
Joined: November 03, 2008
Location: Australia
Posted: October 14, 2011 at 4:51 PM / IP Logged  
Are you measuring across the battery?
It is for the battery that the voltage exists, hence typically a no greater than 14.4V setting long-term. (High 14V and even 15V is not uncommon after initial cranking/starting.)
It may be however that you have a bad (alternator to) engine to body/chassis(/battery) ground so the alternator outputs 15V but the battery only sees (say 14.2V), though that is less common these days where alternators have integral regulators. (It won't happen with single wire D+ alternators, but can on alternators with the additional Sense wire).
Get another voltmeter (DMM) and confirm your meter's readings, and check that the alternator output is close to the battery voltage.
If still high, then it's a bad voltage regulator.
howie ll 
Pot Metal - Posts: 16,466
Pot Metal spacespace
Joined: January 09, 2007
Location: United Kingdom
Posted: October 15, 2011 at 7:07 AM / IP Logged  
Blown any light bulbs recently?
catken 
Member - Posts: 11
Member spacespace
Joined: August 04, 2011
Location: Minnesota, United States
Posted: October 15, 2011 at 7:53 AM / IP Logged  
Thanks for the replies. Sorry about the duplicate question. I'll put a meter on the fuse that I tapped into and see what kind of a reading I get.
catken 
Member - Posts: 11
Member spacespace
Joined: August 04, 2011
Location: Minnesota, United States
Posted: October 15, 2011 at 2:54 PM / IP Logged  
Checked volts at batt. and is now showing about a 14.8 under load. Does this sound better.
oldspark 
Gold - Posts: 4,913
Gold spacespace
Joined: November 03, 2008
Location: Australia
Posted: October 15, 2011 at 9:25 PM / IP Logged  
Yep. Still a bit high for the battery unless perhaps just after starting.
Normal long term maximum for a 12V battery is 14.4V (at room temp - ie 25C, 75F) whether loaded or unloaded.
But having a higher voltage for other electrics can be a problem - ie, blow bulbs, radio, ECU, gauges etc if ~16V or more.
catken 
Member - Posts: 11
Member spacespace
Joined: August 04, 2011
Location: Minnesota, United States
Posted: October 18, 2011 at 7:16 AM / IP Logged  
Thanks for all your replies. ken

Sorry, you can NOT post a reply.
This topic is closed.

  Printable version Printable version Post ReplyPost New Topic
You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot create polls in this forum
You cannot vote in polls in this forum

  •  
Search the12volt.com
Follow the12volt.com Follow the12volt.com on Facebook
Thursday, October 31, 2024 • Copyright © 1999-2024 the12volt.com, All Rights Reserved Privacy Policy & Use of Cookies
Disclaimer: *All information on this site ( the12volt.com ) is provided "as is" without any warranty of any kind, either expressed or implied, including but not limited to fitness for a particular use. Any user assumes the entire risk as to the accuracy and use of this information. Please verify all wire colors and diagrams before applying any information.

Secured by Sectigo
the12volt.com spacer
the12volt.com spacer
the12volt.com spacer
Support the12volt.com
Top
the12volt.com spacer
the12volt.com spacer