Electrical Question
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 1,154
Likes: 25
From: Jasper GA
Electrical Question
I tried this on the C5 Tech Forum without any replies, so maybe you guys will take a shot at it: I drive my procharged '98 C5 infrequently, so the battery (one year old Optima red top) lives on a trickle charger. I've noticed that when I do take it out for a blast, even though I don't turn on the headlights or A/C, the battery is below full charge when it goes back in the garage and I reconnect the Battery Tender. Shouldn't it be fully charged at that point? Is it possible that my extra fuel pump, electric water pump, meth system, etc. are pulling more than the stock alternator can provide?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 6,013
Likes: 726
I tried this on the C5 Tech Forum without any replies, so maybe you guys will take a shot at it: I drive my procharged '98 C5 infrequently, so the battery (one year old Optima red top) lives on a trickle charger. I've noticed that when I do take it out for a blast, even though I don't turn on the headlights or A/C, the battery is below full charge when it goes back in the garage and I reconnect the Battery Tender. Shouldn't it be fully charged at that point? Is it possible that my extra fuel pump, electric water pump, meth system, etc. are pulling more than the stock alternator can provide?
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Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 1,154
Likes: 25
From: Jasper GA
Thanks for the response, but I still wonder why that happens. It seems logical that alternator output is not keeping up with the electrical users on the car.
Pro
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 652
Likes: 16
From: Upton MA
I suspect all is fine. The battery tender might be set for a couple of tenths of a volt higher than what your alternator is outputing, so when you put it back on the battery tender it is smply trying to maitain a slightly higher voltage than your alternator.
