normal volts reading?
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 4,508
Likes: 1,463
From: Pittsburgh PA
2025 C8 Stingray of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2024 C8 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
normal volts reading?
I noticed my volt meter has been running 14.5 volts consistantly when the car is started and during running operation. It does not fluctuate. It stays at this level if the HVAC, lights etc. are on or off. Is this normal? Is it the precursor of a dead battery? Any info is appreciated. The car is the car is an '06 and is 1 1/2 years old with 11,000 mi. Thanks. 
Safety Car
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 3,867
Likes: 307
From: Wantagh,L.I. New York
What does it read when car is not running. Hold ignition in start position for 10 sec. and see what it reads. Should read about 12.7 volts /plus or minus. Also try checking it with a hand held VOM.
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 4,508
Likes: 1,463
From: Pittsburgh PA
2025 C8 Stingray of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2024 C8 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
I don't have a working volt meter. On the DIC with the ignition on and lights off it reads 12.2 V on the DIC.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 5,411
Likes: 2
From: N Carolina 08 Z51 Coupe
Each of the 6 battery cells produce 2.2 volts. So that's 13.2 volts for a healthy battery. You have to account for losses and such, so your reading is good. Mine also shows 14.2 - 14.5 when running/charging. Mine is an 08 with 1500 miles..
Safety Car
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 4,939
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From: CHOCOWINITY NC
I'm convinced that one of the reasons the Corvette is so hard on batteries is because of the unusually high charge rate. A just started car with a good battery will show an initial charge rate of 14.4-14.5. As that initial starting drain is replaced, a good charging system will usually drop to a 13.5-13.7V Float rate. The Vette seems to spend an inordinant amount of time at 14+. Cooked batteries over time are the result. A marginal battery will typically show a high charge rate as well.
The best way to check battery health and measure it's life is by measuring resting voltage. This is done at the battery terminals with a DVOM in the morning after a charged battery sits overnight. Don't switch the car on as the normal drains affect this number greatly (which is why the DIC is not real appropriate here). This voltage will give you a % of charge as seen on the gauge below. For instance, if your battery is only holding 50% of it's potential (12.2V or so), it's aging and typically on it's way out.
The best way to check battery health and measure it's life is by measuring resting voltage. This is done at the battery terminals with a DVOM in the morning after a charged battery sits overnight. Don't switch the car on as the normal drains affect this number greatly (which is why the DIC is not real appropriate here). This voltage will give you a % of charge as seen on the gauge below. For instance, if your battery is only holding 50% of it's potential (12.2V or so), it's aging and typically on it's way out.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 3,271
Likes: 182
From: Manassas VA
The alternator in your car produces a regulated output. It will be somewhere around 14-14.5 volts when idling as long as you are not exceeding the output rating of the alternator. If you are exceeding the rating of the alternator by having everything on in the car and the battery wasn't fully charged to begin with you will read lower depending on the load and the initial battery condition.
There is a tolerance to the regulation circuitry so not all cars read the same. If you shut off the car the battery should read at least 12.6 or so unless the battery is highly discharged. An easy way to see if your alternator is dead or dying is to compare the battery voltage when the car is off and when it is idling. This obviously isn't a full load test but alternators usually either work or fail completely. The one exception is when you lose a diode in the rectifier bridge. In this case the alternator will still put out something but it's load capability is greatly diminished.
There is a tolerance to the regulation circuitry so not all cars read the same. If you shut off the car the battery should read at least 12.6 or so unless the battery is highly discharged. An easy way to see if your alternator is dead or dying is to compare the battery voltage when the car is off and when it is idling. This obviously isn't a full load test but alternators usually either work or fail completely. The one exception is when you lose a diode in the rectifier bridge. In this case the alternator will still put out something but it's load capability is greatly diminished.
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 5,611
Likes: 5
From: Thousand Oaks California
I noticed my volt meter has been running 14.5 volts consistantly when the car is started and during running operation. It does not fluctuate. It stays at this level if the HVAC, lights etc. are on or off. Is this normal? Is it the precursor of a dead battery? Any info is appreciated. The car is the car is an '06 and is 1 1/2 years old with 11,000 mi. Thanks.
The volt gage is not 100% accurate, but is close.
Navigator
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 9
Likes: 0
i just noticed my 05 voltmeter showing about 10.5 
just after start and then immediately jumping up to around 13...charge is showing 14-14.5 when running. Is this normal or is my battery on its way out the door? Thanks
just after start and then immediately jumping up to around 13...charge is showing 14-14.5 when running. Is this normal or is my battery on its way out the door? Thanks
