Charging Voltage
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 2,193
Likes: 195
From: New Caney Texas
Unfortunately, normal. Also unfortunately can be hazardous to some aftermarket LED bulbs that can't handle sustained 14+ volts.
Went through two sets of non-switchback LED's under warranty with a former forum vendor. After the 2nd set died he refunded my money saying he wouldn't warranty a 3rd set, blaming my 2011 GrandSport's charging system (even though all C6's appear to charge at 14+ volts).
I purchased a different vendor's LED bulbs and have not had a failure since.
Went through two sets of non-switchback LED's under warranty with a former forum vendor. After the 2nd set died he refunded my money saying he wouldn't warranty a 3rd set, blaming my 2011 GrandSport's charging system (even though all C6's appear to charge at 14+ volts).
I purchased a different vendor's LED bulbs and have not had a failure since.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 7,750
Likes: 172
2015 C6 of the Year Finalist
I've never seen 14.8v on mine.
I have seen 14.6v - 14.7v for a very brief time, (a couple of minutes), and then it will settle back down around 14.3v.
After a long drive, (several hours), it will drop to around 13.8v.
Don't know if that helps, but that's been my experience.
I have seen 14.6v - 14.7v for a very brief time, (a couple of minutes), and then it will settle back down around 14.3v.
After a long drive, (several hours), it will drop to around 13.8v.
Don't know if that helps, but that's been my experience.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 5,634
Likes: 1,185
From: Lake Worth Beach, Florida
Could be normal for your car. I have never seen mine quite that high (7 years) but for your car could be right. When I initially purchased my car I was on a road trip when the voltage went to 13 volts. I thought I might have a problem and went to a dealer who checked out the system and advised no problems. I learned at that time that the charge rate was controlled by the computer.
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Race Director
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 11,367
Likes: 211
From: Edgewood Washington
St. Jude Donor '11-'12-'13-'14-'15
On the low end I occasionally will see just under 12V in very hot weather, if I lower/raise the top and with the cooling fans on high, AC blasting and the Radio cranked.
14.5V is about the highest I've seen, when I was paying attention.
As far as LED's go, the ones I just bought to replace my fog lights are rated from ~12V-24V. Never had any problems with the LED tail lights.
14.5V is about the highest I've seen, when I was paying attention.
As far as LED's go, the ones I just bought to replace my fog lights are rated from ~12V-24V. Never had any problems with the LED tail lights.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 2,232
Likes: 315
From: Bridgewater New Jersey
It could be that your new battery was sitting in stock for awhile and in a state of discharge. This would be the only reason for higher than normal charging voltage.
Might want to check the actual voltage at the battery if you have a decent meter. The voltage reading will be slightly higher at the large terminal on the alternator than at the battery. A drop of about three tenths of a volt is common due to resistance in the wiring to the battery.