What should battery voltage be while idling?
Additionally, once the engine is running, the battery should be receiving a charge from the alternator. Because of this, the multimeter should read between 13.8 and 14.5 volts when the engine is at idle.
What would cause voltage gauge fluctuates?
When the battery’s state of charge is low, the voltage is raised slightly to quickly put the charge back in. When the state of charge is high, the voltage is lowered slightly to prevent overcharging. If the vehicle has a voltmeter gauge, you may see the voltage move up or down. This is normal.
What causes battery gauge to spike?
Loose connections A simple problem of loose wires and connections can cause your battery voltage to fluctuate. You may think it is flat, charge it and afterwards voltage can go as high as 15V or 16V.
Can a bad battery cause voltage spikes?
A weak or bad battery and loose or corroded connections can aid in the destructive forces of voltage spikes. A good battery acts as a large capacitor to absorb these spikes, so it is important to maintain the battery in good condition and keep the connections clean and tight to help prevent this kind of damage.
What happens if the voltage is too high?
Voltage that is too high can cause premature failure of electrical and electronic components (e.g. circuit boards) due to overheating. The damage caused by overheating is cumulative and irreversible. Motors can, on the other hand, often benefit from voltages that tend to be a little bit high.
What can cause an alternator to overheat?
When vent holes are plugged by 60% or more, failure is likely to occur. Also, if the battery does not hold a charge of 12.4 volts or more, the alternator will constantly try to recharge a depleted battery. This constant charging can cause an alternator to overheat.
Is 14.6 volts too much?
The battery terminal charging voltage must be less than 14.7 volts to prevent excessive gassing. 14.8 would start to be a worry (there might be liquid or corrosion on the battery) and 15 volts would be a real concern, but 14.6 is fine. Less than 14.3 would be a “weak” alternator or regulator.