Question about charging system
#1
I usually listen to my car audio system with the car parked in the garage and the car ignition turned on. The garage door is open ofcourse.
I usually will listen for about 2 hours continuously with the car always idling, never turned off.
When I first start my listening session, my voltage is at about 13.8 volts. After the 2 hour session, the voltage drops to about 12.8 volts.
Is this normal??? Is this supposed to happen even with the car's ignition always on ???
I usually will listen for about 2 hours continuously with the car always idling, never turned off.
When I first start my listening session, my voltage is at about 13.8 volts. After the 2 hour session, the voltage drops to about 12.8 volts.
Is this normal??? Is this supposed to happen even with the car's ignition always on ???
#2
charging voltage tends to drop as the alternator& regulator get hot, this condition is worse with internally regulated alternators.i fixed mine by going external adjustable regulation. [img]graemlins/thumb.gif[/img]
#6
It is normal to charge higher when you first start up, your alt is charging the battery back up so it's working harder. I used to start up in the winter after my security system being on for a few days, batt is down a little, I start up and i'm getting up to 14.8 v. I always thought the dash gauge was off but a good shop MultiMeter confirmed this. I have a multimeter installed in the car now and since I switch to a optima yellow top a few weeks ago i'm only charging about 14.1.
Even with the Deep Cycle If i know i'm going to listen for a while i'll put on a charger before I climb in.
Even with the Deep Cycle If i know i'm going to listen for a while i'll put on a charger before I climb in.
#7
BTW, an alternator usually generates a good bit more at around 1500-2000rpm than it does at idle. That may be part of the reason why you're having a slow voltage drop, the alternator can't quite keep up at that engine speed.
BTW, I hope you know it's not very good for your engine's bottom end to let it idle excessively. 2 hours is a long time for an engine to idle. [img]graemlins/freak.gif[/img]
BTW, I hope you know it's not very good for your engine's bottom end to let it idle excessively. 2 hours is a long time for an engine to idle. [img]graemlins/freak.gif[/img]
#10
The Mini's alt. won't charge until it's about 1500rpm's. It will in reality use the batt. to run the car. under 1500. It realy likes to charge 2-4000rpm's. During an show I can get about 3hrs on an moderate vollume I like Bootleg run an yellow top and run an extra charge before an show. I just had the yellow top serviced at the local yellow top dealer and I had ? them on the right and wrongs, they said that the way I have been doing it is the right way and thats how the batt ( yellow top ) was made to work. Thus just an good charge was needed. The yellow top has been in service for about 4yrs. So must be doing somthing right.