Outside Heat vs. C5 voltage system
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 4,166
Likes: 14
From: Orlando Fl
Outside Heat vs. C5 voltage system
I just moved to Florida where the daily average temp has been 92 & my car sits in the sun besides. My voltage was OK (13.5) but essentially since Ive been here (2 months), my voltage drops to only around 12.1 during the day when the heat is the highest and the A/C is on. I have a yellow top battery but am wondering if this is indicating I need a new alternator...Suggestions?
Drifting
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 1,255
Likes: 0
From: BALTIMORE MD
Yellow top
Most c5 owners use red top Why yellow. Do have any high draw after market items installed.The way these two batt.draw current may be different.I don't know,but i'm sure sombody here does 
Drifting
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 1,917
Likes: 3
From: Southern NH
Remember, the voltage while the car is running is the output of the alternator, not the battery voltage. When the car is not running the DIC will show a relative battery voltage of about 11.5V, which is lower than the actual voltage at the battery terminals.
What you're seeing is normal. I used to live in SoFlo. When it's hot and the A/C is on there is more load on the alternator and you may see the voltage dip a bit, but it will always remain the the normal range on the gauge.
What you're seeing is normal. I used to live in SoFlo. When it's hot and the A/C is on there is more load on the alternator and you may see the voltage dip a bit, but it will always remain the the normal range on the gauge.
