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Battery Voltage Draw


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Jay T 
Copper - Posts: 169
Copper spacespace
Joined: December 02, 2003
Location: Canada
Posted: March 06, 2004 at 5:44 PM / IP Logged  

I just installed a Voltmeter / Distribution block.  I noticed when I start the car at idle the volts read around 13.5  or higher which is healthy.  After the headlights turn on , the heater turns on, and the stereo is fired up. my draw runs down to below 13 volts  (around 12.8 average) I'm only running 325 watt 4 channel amp, running off 8 guage wire with 60 amp fuse.  Do the volts seem to dip too low for my application?  I read another post which said after 12.6 amps your a taking from your battery instead of alternator. Also when the volume is up really high (bigger bass hits) the lights on the distro block dim. but the lights for the dash and headlights (alternator) don't budge at all.  'When the car is off the Voltmeter stays solid at 11.9 volts.

does this seem like a battery problem?  Also if I look at the electrolyte the color is YELLOW /GREEN instead of all green.  Does this always indicate  bad battery?

Thanks for help!!!

FullForce 
Copper - Posts: 103
Copper spacespace
Joined: April 09, 2002
Location: United States
Posted: March 06, 2004 at 6:31 PM / IP Logged  
If you can hold at idle 12.8 with lights, heater, and the system fired thats pretty good. What does it hold at with the engine at drving speed? Say 2-3000 rpm's?
Jay T 
Copper - Posts: 169
Copper spacespace
Joined: December 02, 2003
Location: Canada
Posted: March 06, 2004 at 8:14 PM / IP Logged  

Doesn't fluctuate with the engine speed that much. mabye goes up .1 or .2 amps

are my numbers normal then?

customsuburb 
Gold - Posts: 1,813
Gold spacespace
Joined: January 17, 2004
Location: United States
Posted: March 06, 2004 at 8:41 PM / IP Logged  

Yes your numbers arn't that bad, considering you're running all of that stuff. This is kind of off subject but PAC makes a handy low battery indicator if you like to run your system when your car is off. battery saver

Jay T 
Copper - Posts: 169
Copper spacespace
Joined: December 02, 2003
Location: Canada
Posted: March 06, 2004 at 8:47 PM / IP Logged  

Thanks for the help. I feel better about my numbers now.  As far as a indicator.... My power inverter has a built in shut off protection for when my voltage gets too low.

So what would be the operating voltage (car running) when you should start getting problems 12.5 volts?

Jay T 
Copper - Posts: 169
Copper spacespace
Joined: December 02, 2003
Location: Canada
Posted: March 07, 2004 at 2:41 PM / IP Logged  

Just to ask again; 

What is safe operation voltage from my battery then?  Car running.  anything above 12.5?  or should I try to stay higher?

Thanks!

Usmc860222 
Member - Posts: 21
Member spacespace
Joined: March 04, 2004
Location: United States
Posted: March 07, 2004 at 3:56 PM / IP Logged  
battery is generally 12.6V and running is 14.4 volts
Jay T 
Copper - Posts: 169
Copper spacespace
Joined: December 02, 2003
Location: Canada
Posted: March 07, 2004 at 4:06 PM / IP Logged  

OK

So if my car is running with accessories cranking, and my voltmeter reads 12.8 then thats bad or good? or just ok. 

Because everything else I see reads around 13.5 with stuff running.

I'm just looking for alittle more detail.

Thanks for helpBattery Voltage Draw -- posted image.

customsuburb 
Gold - Posts: 1,813
Gold spacespace
Joined: January 17, 2004
Location: United States
Posted: March 07, 2004 at 4:45 PM / IP Logged  
Your altnerators avergave output should be 13.8 volts (12.8 isn't that bad if you have a car, with everything running). 14.4 would be a little on the high side.
superstreet786 
Silver - Posts: 339
Silver spacespace
Joined: August 12, 2003
Location: United States
Posted: March 31, 2004 at 3:27 PM / IP Logged  
yea all your numbers seem good
---- 1996 Chevy S10 ----
1 Lightning Audio S2.600.2 Amp
2 Lightning Audio 12" Subs
1 Lightning Audio 1 Farad Cap

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