14.7 volts, to high?

[Deere Jon]

I found truck to not be charging yesterday, stopped by Napa picked up a regulator, installed and cut the foam out of the old regulator, it had a burnt spot in it. The truck charged 14. 7 volts after start up and mid throttle, battery had been on slow charge all day today, and charger removed just before start up.



One other problem I found was a burnt out headlamp, could I still have charging system problem with my 14. 7 volts, my lights are super bright, I don't want to burn out more bulbs, and another regulator if I still have something wrong somewhere. What do some of your other 1st gens charge at, I have never checked mine before today with a digital multi meter. Thanks Jon

 

[Gary - K7GLD]

That's about right in a charging condition.

 

[Greenleaf]

I checked my 90 system and found it to be well above the 14v. Don't recall what it was exactly. The battery is leaking some electrolyte out around the vent caps near the negative post.



-S

 

[JStraw]

My truck is at a constant 13. 6. On a side note, my harley davidson is always at 15 volts.

 

[pepecat]

Charging

My battery smelled like sulfer one day and I found it was charging over 18 volts! Replaced the voltage regulator, still 18V... Replaced Alternator, fixed!

new costco battery installed. Now charging between 13 and 14V

 

[Gary - K7GLD]

Just for grins, check the voltage applied to a 12 volt battery by the average battery charger...



There has to be a defined voltage increase over and above the natural static battery voltage for proper charging to take place - and that will usually be somewhere above 14 volts, depending on battery/regulator/alternator variations.



Charging voltage much lower than 14 volts will not fully charge the average battery in good condition...

 

[chuckwilson]

Voltage is suposed to be between13. 8 to 14. 2

 

[Deere Jon]

Thanks for all the help men!

I can see there is as many opinions on this as tooth brushes I will not worry about the chargeing system any more thanks Jon.

 

[BushWakr - RIP]

I've always thought, been told, that 13. 8 vdc is the correct range for power from a battery... . so 14. 7 seems kinda high ... ... . I think...

Why not call a battery shop or maker and ask them what the proper output from a fully charged 12 auto battery should be.....



pb. .

 

[CSchafer]

the way I was tought to check alternator output is this. With truck off and nothing on check batery voltage. Then with truck still off turn absolutely every electrical accsesory that you can on. then check the voltage agian. Take the original voltage and subtract the second (lower) reading from it. Now take that number and add it to the original voltage. Now start the truck and check the voltage. This voltage has to be higher than the number you came up with to charge the batery. For instance (example) 12v at the battery, turn everything on and it drops to 11. 2v, 12-11. 2=. 8v, 12+. 8=12. 8 volts nedded to charge the battery.



I have never checked my dodge but my s-10 was 14. 2-14. 5, my f-150 was over 15 like 15. 2 most of the time and I have seen some cars at work in the low 13's that had no problem. I think over 15. 5 to 16 is too high and extended exposure to this high voltage could damage your battery.

Cade

 

[Greenleaf]

i can tell you that... ..... a full chared bat is 12. 6 vdc. thinking each cell makes 2. 1volt.

so, u's need like 12. 8 vdc to charge with no load



cool huh

 

[hdm48]

I have check this issue with the guys at interstate battery and they said 14. 7v is OK for their batteries.

But now here is something everyone needs to pay attention to.

Perform this test.

Put a volt meter on your battery, with the engine idling wiggle the wire plug at the voltage regulator. If the voltage raises or drops, the plug is bad and can cause dangerous over/under voltage.

For those without external regulators this is a non issue