charging question
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Instructor
Joined: Aug 2015
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charging question
i just bought my first ever vette the other day. absolutely loving it so far. should the alternator drop off to about 12.8-13 when sitting in stop and go traffic after awhile? once i get back up to cruising speeds the voltage comes right back up to 14-14.5
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 6,644
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From: OK
The fans may be kicking on and pulling some voltage... haven't paid much attention to mine but, that sounds like it would be a normal thing...there are probably many other factors that would make voltage fluctuate some...
Last edited by 73Corvette; Aug 15, 2015 at 05:43 PM.
Thread Starter
Instructor
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hopefully thats all it is. i never notice it doing anything different while on the road. it just happens once im in stop and go traffic for awhile
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its all stock as far as i know. its a 2002 6 speed hard top with the z51 package. has 80000 miles. i just bought it from a dealership. if it was underdrive pulleys id think it would drop off just as soon as my rpms drop. it doesnt do it instantly. just after ive been in traffic for a few.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 5,375
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From: CA.
St. Jude Donor '13-'14-'15
Yes quite normal for the voltage to drop at idle---Especially when the A/C s on which means BOTH electric fans are ON and may use as much as 50 AMPS---
The only time you may have an issue is if the car won't start--meaning you either have a battery going south or the alternator is not charging enough----
PS these cars with all their electronics are highly voltage sensitive--meaning that if the voltage stays low for a long time you'll begin to notice weird things happening to most all the electric components such as windows--door locks--cruise control column lock--alarm etc---
The only time you may have an issue is if the car won't start--meaning you either have a battery going south or the alternator is not charging enough----
PS these cars with all their electronics are highly voltage sensitive--meaning that if the voltage stays low for a long time you'll begin to notice weird things happening to most all the electric components such as windows--door locks--cruise control column lock--alarm etc---
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 137
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Yes quite normal for the voltage to drop at idle---Especially when the A/C s on which means BOTH electric fans are ON and may use as much as 50 AMPS---
The only time you may have an issue is if the car won't start--meaning you either have a battery going south or the alternator is not charging enough----
PS these cars with all their electronics are highly voltage sensitive--meaning that if the voltage stays low for a long time you'll begin to notice weird things happening to most all the electric components such as windows--door locks--cruise control column lock--alarm etc---
The only time you may have an issue is if the car won't start--meaning you either have a battery going south or the alternator is not charging enough----
PS these cars with all their electronics are highly voltage sensitive--meaning that if the voltage stays low for a long time you'll begin to notice weird things happening to most all the electric components such as windows--door locks--cruise control column lock--alarm etc---
thats what i was just mainly wondering. if its normal for these cars to drop like that when idling around for awhile. never had any other car do that but ive never had a Vette either
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Instructor
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From: Anthony TX
CI 6,7,8,9,11 Vet
St. Jude Donor '08
How are you reading the VOLTAGE???
The dash analog meter and the IPC digital readout is N O T the actual battery voltage reading..
Its the ignition switch supplied voltage to all the HOT WHEN THE IGNITION IS ON circuits.
To get an accurate reading of the alternator / battery output voltage, you gave to read directly on the battery or you can read the output of the cigar lighter in the dash.
The dash analog meter and the IPC digital readout is N O T the actual battery voltage reading..
Its the ignition switch supplied voltage to all the HOT WHEN THE IGNITION IS ON circuits.
To get an accurate reading of the alternator / battery output voltage, you gave to read directly on the battery or you can read the output of the cigar lighter in the dash.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 137
Likes: 12
How are you reading the VOLTAGE???
The dash analog meter and the IPC digital readout is N O T the actual battery voltage reading..
Its the ignition switch supplied voltage to all the HOT WHEN THE IGNITION IS ON circuits.
To get an accurate reading of the alternator / battery output voltage, you gave to read directly on the battery or you can read the output of the cigar lighter in the dash.
The dash analog meter and the IPC digital readout is N O T the actual battery voltage reading..
Its the ignition switch supplied voltage to all the HOT WHEN THE IGNITION IS ON circuits.
To get an accurate reading of the alternator / battery output voltage, you gave to read directly on the battery or you can read the output of the cigar lighter in the dash.
i never have my meter on my when it acts up to get out real quick and measure with a MM. im just going off of the gauge and the display readout. when it drops off like this it def affects the engine. feels like it looses 50 horse