auto volt gauge reading
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Forum Name: Vehicle Wiring Information & File Requests
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URL: https://www.the12volt.com/installbay/forum_posts.asp?tid=128846
Printed Date: April 27, 2024 at 11:40 AM
Topic: auto volt gauge reading
Posted By: catken
Subject: auto volt gauge reading
Date Posted: October 14, 2011 at 9:48 AM
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.
Replies:
Posted By: Phreak480
Date Posted: October 14, 2011 at 11:32 AM
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.
Posted By: jmelton86
Date Posted: October 14, 2011 at 11:41 AM
Does the meter have a calibration knob on it somewhere?
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2013 Kia Rio -90a alternator
DDX470HD GTO14001 GTO1014D (x3)
Big3 in 1/0G
1/0G to GTO14001
Posted By: oldspark
Date Posted: October 14, 2011 at 4:51 PM
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.
Posted By: howie ll
Date Posted: October 15, 2011 at 7:07 AM
Blown any light bulbs recently?
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Amateurs assume, don't test and have problems; pros test first. I am not a free install service.
Read the installation manual, do a search here or online for your vehicle wiring before posting.
Posted By: catken
Date Posted: October 15, 2011 at 7:53 AM
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.
Posted By: catken
Date Posted: October 15, 2011 at 2:54 PM
Checked volts at batt. and is now showing about a 14.8 under load. Does this sound better.
Posted By: oldspark
Date Posted: October 15, 2011 at 9:25 PM
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.
Posted By: catken
Date Posted: October 18, 2011 at 7:16 AM
Thanks for all your replies. ken
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