How old is the voltmeter on the dashboard?
Bought a new battery, voltage gauge 14 while running, sounded a little slow cranking, about 10 volts charge indicated with engine off. Took it to be tested, 800 cca battery maybe 6 or 7 years old, 460 cranking amps. New battery as sub zero temps this week, and I like the car to start when I need it.
Where does the voltage meter in the dash show the battery?
The gauge is powered from the same circuit that provides switched 12VDC to all of the gauges, plus the AC components, safety switches and about everything that is powered up when the ignition switch is in the on position. It is a blue/white wire (according to this diagram) and comes from the fuse panel.
How can you tell the voltage of a battery?
There are several ways to determine a battery’s SOC, including measuring a battery’s chemistry (specific gravity), its voltage (volt meter), or tracking the current flow in and out of the battery with a ‘shunt’ and associated metering.
What should the voltage be on a voltmeter?
With a gauge poorly marked (or not marked…) like this you have to assume the lower mark is 12 and the upper mark is 18. That means a 6 volt difference. Split the difference and if the needle is around the middle of the battery emblem the system should be charging at around 14 or so volts. I’m not a fan of gauges.
Bought a new battery, voltage gauge 14 while running, sounded a little slow cranking, about 10 volts charge indicated with engine off. Took it to be tested, 800 cca battery maybe 6 or 7 years old, 460 cranking amps. New battery as sub zero temps this week, and I like the car to start when I need it.
The gauge is powered from the same circuit that provides switched 12VDC to all of the gauges, plus the AC components, safety switches and about everything that is powered up when the ignition switch is in the on position. It is a blue/white wire (according to this diagram) and comes from the fuse panel.
Why does the dash gauge switch from battery to alternator?
OK now that is starting to make sense. If the dash gauge switches over from reading battery voltage to alternator voltage after the engine starts, and there’s a diode between the alt. output and the battery, it would explain a lot. I will take readings at the alternator and let you know what I find.
What should the Volt gauge be when the engine is running?
Look at the voltmeter while the engine is running. Readings of 14 to 14.5 volts on the gauge when as a good sign.