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YOUR RESEARCHProper charge level and charge behavior?
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Replace battery and the alternator
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A few months ago I replaced both the battery and the alternator.
Leading evidence: 'Replace battery and the alternator' (no explicit attributable resolution; this is a reported action or suggestion). Across 1 matching discussions, The most frequently discussed action is 'Replace battery and the alternator' (1 discussions). For that action, 0 discussions report a resolution and 0 report an unsuccessful attempt. No action has an explicit, attributable resolution report under the current rules. These are forum reports and suggestions, not a confirmed diagnosis.
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Today I noticed that when I started the engine, the battery gauge read 14. While idling for about 20-30 minutes, the needle gradually slid to 13. At that point I pulled off and in my usual 80-90mph way drove home, during which the gauge then crawled back up to 13.5. A few months ago I replaced both the battery and the alternator. That incident was such an incredible amount of trouble that I have become pretty paranoid about the electrical in the car.
Should the gauge be sliding lower in idle? What is the "good" level of charge on the gauge? I have a failing seat warmer switch, and I am getting the feeling there might be some kind of short somewhere in the system.
-- befast
Sounds just right. The battery is drained as it sits for several days. You crank it and it charges up high (14 is good). Then as it charges to its normal level it drops doun to about 13+. Next time you crank it, it recharges to about 14 untill its to its normal level.
The voltage regulator goes on and off to let the alternator charge the battery. Mine does the same as yours. After sitting a day or two when I first start it up it goes to 14 for 10 minutes or so then to 13. It will always drop in idle as there is less RPM on the alternator.
Lead acid batteries can be, should be, charged to a higher voltage level in the wintertime vs the summer. The voltage regulator inside the alternator has a temperature sensor that adjusts the alternator charging voltage as seasons change. While it would be nice if that sensor were ONLY affected by outside ambient air temperature that is clearly not possible.
So, until your engine and engine compartment warms up and thereby begins to affect the air temperature flowing through the alternator the voltage charge "target" will be higher than one things do warm up.
Mine has been a little funny as well. I was suprised to see my alternator only charging at about 13.8v...I was expecting something over 14v based on previous cars I have had.
Ah, so sounds like I am in the clear! That's great. Interestingly the gauge goes all the way up to 16, and a sort of an easy thing to think would be that a new fully charged battery would be at 16. Haha, but I guess I am no electrician.
