Battery voltage, how much?

[Bluebird]

How many volts should my battery have with the truck not running, and running, (oh, too lazy to pull-out the shop manual, wanted to read the TDR wisedom anyway). She's starting to crank just a little slow in the morning, it's not that cold in So CA, 43-degrees in the AM. I gonna start Holiday traveling, don't want to get stuck, rather just buy a battery. This one has been in the truck since mid-'03:-laf

Thanks TDR gang





Happy Thanksgiving. Be safe: drive a 6000 pound CTD little truck, Patrick.

 

[R C Cola]

Battery Volts

Mid 03 ? ? Start with that. The real life is over even if it tests good it could go out anytime. Going on a trip, definitely don't want to take chances. Now volts Key off 12. 2 - 12. 6 is usually ok. Running alt out put should be about 13. 4 to 13. 6 . Mine is putting out 13. 8 with a new regulator in place, and I was worried, mfg. said not to worry. Variation small enough not to cause any problem. If you have a Auto Zone where you are they will do a test free of charge without taking anything off the car. Near as I can tell a very reliable test for everything except age, refer back to first sentence.

 

[bmoeller]

12. 45 volts is generally low enough to have starting problems.

Clean all of the cable ends, and see if the battery(/ies) are being charged enough. Dirty terminals can be enough for starting problems, even if the battery is fully charged.

I'd make sure the battery(/ies) is/are charged and load test it/them. My guess it's time for a replacement.

 

[MMeier]

Patrick, if I were you I think I would have a amp draw test done also. Battery could check out "OK", but if the starter is drawing too much due to worn out contacts, it might cause grief down the road aways. If alernator is working correctly, look for 13. 5- 15. 5 volts at the battery, cooler temps will show toward the higher end of that range.

 

[Bluebird]

TDR people, the best on the planet! Thanks folks, I'll check the battery out first thing in the morning.



Patrick.

 

[JLEONARD]

I would have a amp draw test done also. Battery could check out "OK", but

I had my battery checked this way 5 years ago when the starter wouldn't turn the engine over fast enough to start it.

The tester indicated the battery was "good". It was in the middle of that range.

New battery was in order though. And that one has been in for 5 years... . and it's time for another I believe.

Bottom line... . load test won't tell the tale in all cases.

Jay

 

[Greenleaf]

I load test can also indicate high resistance in the connections and crimp-on battery cable ends. I use a Ohm meter to check resistance of the two cables when I remove them to clean the connections. I have had some develop the common green corrosion and replace the ends anyway.



You should see very minimal resistance (Ohms) between the two cable ends of any cable. Like say 5 Ohms or less. The starter draw test/load test will tell you if the starter is developing high resistance internally due to wear. Time to time ist's required to removal all connections and clean them. Not to forget the #10 guage wire leading from the battery Neg to the radiator support. In fact it's a real good idea to replace that or add another wire in tandom. That baby will get really hot with all the lights illuminated.



A full-up battery will show 12. 6 volts and 14 or so with the engine running.

 

[MAllen1]

The battery should be between 12-13 off and 13-14. 5 w/engine running. Check the resistance of the cables from the battery and the starter, and, from the switch and the starter. 2 other things to take note of--1) when the weather gets cooler, naturally the engine would be a little harder to start. 2) I am not an expert, but, I know certain years of the first generations came from the factory w/one battery. You didn't specify weather your 93 ( I don't know when Dodge went from 1 to 2 batteries) had 1 or 2 batteries. The combination of the 2 examples should be factored in, if they are "applicable".

 

[Skydiver]

LONG,



All you need to know and then some.



Batteries -- and Other Electric Stuff by phred

 

[Bluebird]

I have one battery. I replaced it because the load test started at 10. 75 volts and kept droppping. Charging was at 12. 5 volts. New battery NAPA, (same as I had the last four years). The numbers are good now. The education at TDR is priceless! I gain confidence and learn more every time I log-in.

Patrick.