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Battery Voltage

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Old Feb 19, 2020 | 03:46 PM
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Default Battery Voltage

My battery was dead (2016 C7)…. Jumped it off and it ran for days. I noticed the Battery Voltage was around 14.5
I ordered and hooked up CTEK mus 4.3 - It ran all night and showed fully charged. I took the C7 out today and
the battery voltage really bounced around. 14.3 to 12.8 - Is this normal? What does normal look like for the battery voltage?
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Old Feb 19, 2020 | 04:25 PM
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The alternator output is computer controlled and it will vary to the load needed to keep the battery charged.


Elmer

Last edited by eboggs_jkvl; Feb 19, 2020 at 04:25 PM.
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Old Feb 19, 2020 | 04:31 PM
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I agree. The voltage level goes up and down depending on electrical loading seen by the alternator. Starting the engine draws a lot of current from the battery in a short time period, it usually takes 10 to 15 miles of highway driving to be sure the battery is recharged after an engine restart. If your battery is low when you start the engine and don't drive far enough it will not be brought back to full charge. A series of events like that may leave you with a battery that may not be able to start the car after the last time you turn off the engine and let it sit over night.

Bill
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Old Feb 19, 2020 | 04:40 PM
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You can't trust a 5 year old battery that has already been dead once. It is just a matter of time before it leaves you stranded... I'd do myself a favor and change it now before that happens.
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Old Feb 19, 2020 | 04:41 PM
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Originally Posted by ny32182
You can't trust a 5 year old battery that has already been dead once. It is just a matter of time before it leaves you stranded... I'd do myself a favor and change it now before that happens.




Elmer
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Old Feb 19, 2020 | 04:47 PM
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Using a battery over three years old can be a crapshoot, especially in extremes of heat or cold...
After starting the voltage should stabilize around 14 volts, varying slightly depending on the draw on the system. It should not bounce around, and that behavior indicates that either the battery is going south or the charging system isn't working properly, but in any event it's giving you notice...
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Old Feb 19, 2020 | 11:52 PM
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Originally Posted by ny32182
You can't trust a 5 year old battery that has already been dead once. It is just a matter of time before it leaves you stranded... I'd do myself a favor and change it now before that happens.
Yep. Best to consider getting a new battery - 4 to 5 years is pushing it.
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Old Feb 20, 2020 | 12:25 AM
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I have a 2014 C7 that I bought in Oct 2013. My battery is starting to show it's age too after it sits for a week or so.. Will it be ok to disconnect the battery terminals without loosing, say radio settings or having to take it to the dealer to put a pin number in for the radio ? Or should I connect a charger to the battery leads while I have it out to replace it?

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Old Feb 20, 2020 | 12:39 AM
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Originally Posted by Pete43
I have a 2014 C7 that I bought in Oct 2013. My battery is starting to show it's age too after it sits for a week or so.. Will it be ok to disconnect the battery terminals without loosing, say radio settings or having to take it to the dealer to put a pin number in for the radio ? Or should I connect a charger to the battery leads while I have it out to replace it?
You should lose no settings, just remember to re-index the windows.
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