2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission Charging voltage, what should it be

[johncameron]

My truck has been starting harder than normal this winter and I am wondering if my charging system is not working properly. I changed both batteries last year.



What should my charging voltage be at idle, I plan on checking it tomorrow(with the grid heaters off!)



Thanks in advance, John

 

[EricBu12]

Should be around 14-15. I have found that winters will slowly drain our batteries if we don't run for a long time during the day. . I'd charge the batteries with a charger and go from there. I only drive 11 miles to work everyday. . During the morning commute, I try to have the RPM's up a bit more than letting it idle down more in a higher gear.

 

[johncameron]

Thanks, I'll take a look tomorrow. If they are "Run down" it would be strange as I have always driven the same distence to work since 2000 and never had a problem.



Cheers, John

 

[johncameron]

I checked my charging voltage today and this is what I read:



800rpm - 14. 35v

1200rpm - 14. 60

2000rpm - 14. 80

2500rpm - 14. 80

3200rpm - 14. 80



So my charging system is working fine.



I did stumble across some interesting information about my Boomerang system (GPS tracking). about 3 years ago I discontinued my contract and they left it in my truck. Supposidly there is a 6v battery somewhere in the truck and f it goes dead it drains the main batteries. I'm going to try to find it.



Does anyone know where they hide these things?



John

 

[CKelley1]

pull the positive lead off of both batteries use a multimeter with a 10 amp scale and put it in series with a lead and a battery, there should be about 0. 25 amp draw on a 2001 if you have a under hood light you will have to disconnect it for this test if something is drawing them down you will probably see higher than one amp draw, pull one fuse at a time until the draw drops. if no drop is found the next suspect is a leaky diode in the altinator, remove the large wire on the altinator to see if it drops

 

[johncameron]

pull the positive lead off of both batteries use a multimeter with a 10 amp scale and put it in series with a lead and a battery, there should be about 0. 25 amp draw on a 2001 if you have a under hood light you will have to disconnect it for this test if something is drawing them down you will probably see higher than one amp draw, pull one fuse at a time until the draw drops. if no drop is found the next suspect is a leaky diode in the altinator, remove the large wire on the altinator to see if it drops

Finally got around to it and I measured 0. 065A.



Thanks for the info and tips guys.



John

 

[BigPapa]

My truck got to where it sounded like the batteries were down when I started it and it ended up being my starter. Finally got to where it wouldn't turn over at all.



Scott