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voltage question

Discussion in 'Sparky's corner' started by GSX-PKV, Aug 5, 2011.

  1. GSX-PKV

    GSX-PKV registered user

    When driving my car, the voltmeter reads at least 14 volts but at night with the lights and radio on, the voltmeter reads 12 volts. Does that seem within a normal range? I have an MSD ignition. Thanks, Paul
     
  2. 67sportwagoon

    67sportwagoon Well-Known Member

    The usual factory specs for charging voltage is 14.1 and with your headlights on 12 sounds just about right.
     
  3. LARRY70GS

    LARRY70GS a.k.a. "THE WIZARD" Staff Member

    No, to charge the battery, you need a minimum of 13.8 volts. the externally regulated alternators can be a bit weak at idle, but they should keep up at higher RPM. you may be able to adjust your regulator, or maybe not. A popular upgrade is to change over to a 73 and up internally regulated alternator. They put out triple the amperage at idle.

    http://www.buickperformance.com/alternat.htm


    You can have Jamie build you an alternator (see post #5), http://www.v8buick.com/showthread.php?t=89861
     
  4. GSX-PKV

    GSX-PKV registered user

    It is an internally regulated alternator. Do you think it's on the way out???
     
  5. LARRY70GS

    LARRY70GS a.k.a. "THE WIZARD" Staff Member

    It's not keeping up with the load if it is dragging the voltage down like that. How sure are you of the gauge, and do you have a very high powered audio system?
     
  6. GSX-PKV

    GSX-PKV registered user

    The Stewart Warner gauge is at least 30 years old. I have XM radio I play by plugging it into the cigarette lighter through the radio. At night while driving, the headlights are bright and in the day, as the rpms go up, the volts go up accordingly to 14 volts.
     
  7. LARRY70GS

    LARRY70GS a.k.a. "THE WIZARD" Staff Member

    First thing I would do is see if the gauge agrees with a good volt meter. Like I said before, 13.8 volts is the minimum for charging the battery. The gauge should not be at 12 volts with the engine running.
     
  8. GSX-PKV

    GSX-PKV registered user

    I'll do that. Thanks for the tips. Paul
     
  9. gstewart

    gstewart Well-Known Member

    old wiring when the lights are turned on will draw more voltage because of the increased resistance in the aged wiring.
     
  10. 66larkgs

    66larkgs paul 66gs turbo nailhead

    not that big of a voltage drop.. 2 volts is a big drop, old wireing wont cause a drop like that but a corroded or a poor conections(resistance) will cause it. double check all your connections, check your grounds and check your alternator.check for that blue/green corrsion.. 13.5 under a load should be the lowest, its never a bad idea to upgrade to a nice powermaster 140amp altenator. i run one in my 53 international and one in my 66 lark with a turbo nailhead. i run a a1000 fuel pump, electric oil pump, electric trans fan, msd dist and headlights and it is @13.9 -14.2. good luck

    paul
    66larkgs
    turbo nailhead
     
  11. DavidC77

    DavidC77 "Matilda" 1970 Buick GSX

  12. DavidC77

    DavidC77 "Matilda" 1970 Buick GSX


    It maybe that your gauge is just worn out being that old.

    Check it as LARRY70GS said and replace the gauge with a new one.

    Heck you can pick up a triple gauge for around $50 to $100's that will give you oil, water and volt's.
     
  13. DavidC77

    DavidC77 "Matilda" 1970 Buick GSX

  14. 69GS400s

    69GS400s ...my own amusement ride!

    ... not only that but you support a member of this board who also helps it keep going as a paying vendor

    Plus - Jamie is a Heck of a good guy. I'm running one of his starters
     
  15. GSX-PKV

    GSX-PKV registered user

    Good advice. Thanks guys!

    Paul
     
  16. GSX-PKV

    GSX-PKV registered user

    Had the car out today and it's time for a new gauge! At 750 rpm idle with head lights and everything on in the car the gauge shows 12 volts but my voltmeter reads 13.7 volts at the battery. With everything off at idle, the gauge shows 13 volts but the voltmeter at the battery is showing 14 volts.
     
  17. BRUCE ROE

    BRUCE ROE Well-Known Member

    It sounds like the battery voltage hardly varies, but voltmeter varies
    with load. That load drop might be caused by voltage drop in the wiring,
    on the way to the voltmeter.

    Don't buy a new voltmeter, till you check the voltage at the voltmeter
    terminals. If that is low, the upgrade should be on wiring. Bruce Roe
     
  18. GSX-PKV

    GSX-PKV registered user

    That makes a lot of sense! Thanks for the tip.

    Paul
     
  19. RAbarrett

    RAbarrett Well-Known Member

    Something to consider here is the loads we add to the system as we further enjoy the car. These added loads, however, make the alternator's job increasingly difficult. Added loads require increasingly higher current capacities for the alternator. Though these alternators are available, the issue is frequently similar to camshafts. Added power from the engine from the cam is available as the rpm increases, but the performance at lower rpms suffers. It is that way with alternators as well. As we increase the current capability from the laternator, less current is available at idle. There are some options, including the smaller alternator pulley, raising the idle speed, or a device for stabilizing the voltage as alternator rpm drops. The least expensive alternative is the smaller alt pulley.
    If the voltage increases to about 14 volts just above idle, the problem is likely one of alternator rpm, not capacity. Ray
     
  20. BRUCE ROE

    BRUCE ROE Well-Known Member

    Ray, you say the idle current output of an alternator decreases as
    it is built for higher maximum current? I hadn't noticed that. But
    that would not apply if a physically larger alternator was used,
    increase across the board. I've been using the larger diesel
    alternators, and my 79 EFI Cad came with a huge alternator.

    What is the device for stabilizing the voltage as alternator rpm drops?

    Bruce Roe
     

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