DIC voltage reading?
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 2,334
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From: las vegas nv.
DIC voltage reading?
Does the DIC reading voltage--is that the voltage going to the battery? Like mine reads 13.5-13.9 most of the time-turning on the A/C drops it down to 13.2-13.5-
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2003
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From: Scottsdale AZ
Mine's generally about 14.2 on start up and I really don't look at it afterwards but I wouldn't think you're in a problem range at all with the AC on.
You might have your battery checked if you're concerned . . .just like Vegas we run AC out here about 9 months out of the year, so battery replacement every 3 years or so is pretty common.
EDIT: Saturday afternoon--It's 117 here this afternoon so the AC's running full blast . . . .mine's reading right where you are-- 13.2.
You might have your battery checked if you're concerned . . .just like Vegas we run AC out here about 9 months out of the year, so battery replacement every 3 years or so is pretty common.
EDIT: Saturday afternoon--It's 117 here this afternoon so the AC's running full blast . . . .mine's reading right where you are-- 13.2.
Last edited by CQRT; Aug 15, 2015 at 06:58 PM.
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Melting Slicks
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From: Jensen Beach FL
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2011
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From: Columbia SC
The DIC reading is typically lower than the actual voltage at the battery since the reading is via the ignition electrical switch contacts. You can easily read 1/2 volt lower and more with a problem switch.
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Michael S. Palmer
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From: Springfield Ohio
Explaination
The DIC reads voltage at the battery. A fully charged battery at rest should read about 12.6 volts using a multimeter. When the car is running, the voltage should be a little higher because the car's systems require power from the battery and the alternator will supply power to the battery to keep it charged. If your battery is fully charged, you may see something just over 13 volts on the DIC. If you haven't driven it for a few days, then the alternator will probably put out something over 14 volts to recharge the battery. Also, the starter draws a fair amount of current to start the car, so the voltage will generally show a higher charge rate for a few miles after starting the car until the battery is fully charged again. The DIC gauge is not a highly sensitive unit but it gives you a good indication of the state of the battery and charging system. If you show something less than 12 volts or over 15 volts, then it's time to have the system checked with something more useful than the DIC.
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Mine reads right at what yours is showing and I haven't noticed any problems with the car.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 3,012
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From: Jensen Beach FL
The DIC reads voltage at the battery. A fully charged battery at rest should read about 12.6 volts using a multimeter. When the car is running, the voltage should be a little higher because the car's systems require power from the battery and the alternator will supply power to the battery to keep it charged. If your battery is fully charged, you may see something just over 13 volts on the DIC. If you haven't driven it for a few days, then the alternator will probably put out something over 14 volts to recharge the battery. Also, the starter draws a fair amount of current to start the car, so the voltage will generally show a higher charge rate for a few miles after starting the car until the battery is fully charged again. The DIC gauge is not a highly sensitive unit but it gives you a good indication of the state of the battery and charging system. If you show something less than 12 volts or over 15 volts, then it's time to have the system checked with something more useful than the DIC.