No load battery voltage.... - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

tcb-1 · 03-07-2008, 04:32 AM

my truck is still giving me starting issues. fuel system is fine now.

still running a points distributor so, what should my battery be registering, at no load, cold. I'm getting 12.2 but I'm thinking that not enough.

I know, I need someone to crank while I put a meter on the battery...... the battery gauge in the truck shows right in the middle during cranking, but that doesn't mean a lot.

Anyone have an idea what voltage a points set up needs to function. On my old Triumph bikes, that I went to electronic ignition, I had to have at least 14 volts registering on the battery, cold or it would not start.....

thanks, sorry for a stupid question

Sport/Truck · 03-07-2008, 04:36 AM

your battery is weak. Should be higher.....I'll find a link for you.
s/t

Sport/Truck · 03-07-2008, 04:40 AM

Here it is. http://www.odysseybatteries.com/charging.htm
BTW these battery's rock!
s/t

DavesRide · 03-07-2008, 05:34 AM

Do you have a generator with external regulator?
I have watched many charging systems (alternator) if not under load go towards 13+ Volts with internal alternator. What again are your starting problems? The gauge inside truck can be very deceiving. My brother's old 66 gauge (generator) would peg if you honked the horn while running and then go back normal. Check at the battery with a good meter like a FLUKE and check it without any load and check with load like all lights on, fan on, and radio. It should never drop below 12 V ever or it is discharging battery.

joedoozer · 03-07-2008, 06:11 AM

yeah test it with a good known meter. and go to napa or your local parts store and buy a toaster. battery load tester, that will tell you what shape it is in.

tcb-1 · 03-07-2008, 06:51 AM

since I've been into restoring bikes so long, my charger is only for a small 12 volt battery. soooooo I have the battery in the garage on the motorcycle charger. I'm going to leave it on all night. I thought the battery (Exide) was still "good", but it may be getting the boot soon.....

I actually have a digital Craftsman volt meter, but I may run to Napa and buy the battery load tester as well (thanks Joedoozer!)

HotGMC · 03-07-2008, 08:03 AM

i dont know to much on the subject, but i know mine runs around 15 3/4-17 volts.

is it having issues starting or just you think the volts are low?

tcb-1 · 03-07-2008, 08:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HotGMC

i dont know to much on the subject, but i know mine runs around 15 3/4-17 volts.

is it having issues starting or just you think the volts are low?

both. but I think the battery is the culprit.

DavesRide · 03-07-2008, 08:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HotGMC

i dont know to much on the subject, but i know mine runs around 15 3/4-17 volts.

is it having issues starting or just you think the volts are low?

Having tested many autos for voltage I have never seen any that high. That will boil the juice out of a battery.

AlienYouth · 03-07-2008, 08:38 AM

like 12.7-13 is full charge

somethin like 14-15 while running

DavesRide · 03-07-2008, 08:51 AM

Never seen that on a normal vehicle. I really haven't. 9v under full load is lowest on good batttery under full load and 14.v while regulator is in "give it all to me" mode.

Wreckless_71 · 03-07-2008, 09:16 AM

your battery should be right around 12v if you walk out of your house and put a volt meter on it... it should be about 14.6v while charging (running). Dave's right 15-17 will create a very unsatesfactory smell from your battery and is quite dangerous, I deffinitly would not be standing around to test that battery!

jef5150 · 03-07-2008, 09:45 AM

just because the voltage is 13-14volts at the battery while the motor is running doesnt mean your battery has enough "AMPERAGE" to re-start the car.It means your alternator is charging.

i would swap batteries from a good car,if it cranks over good and starts right up replace your battery.If you still have the same symptoms i would then check for loose cable/oily connection, especially the ground.Even if your "battery charger" says its "fullycharged" you could have a bad cell and it will still "slow crank" your motor .

jeff

03-07-2008, 04:32 AM	#1
tcb-1 Nothing to see here..... Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Shawnee, KS Posts: 4,625	No load battery voltage.... my truck is still giving me starting issues. fuel system is fine now. still running a points distributor so, what should my battery be registering, at no load, cold. I'm getting 12.2 but I'm thinking that not enough. I know, I need someone to crank while I put a meter on the battery...... the battery gauge in the truck shows right in the middle during cranking, but that doesn't mean a lot. Anyone have an idea what voltage a points set up needs to function. On my old Triumph bikes, that I went to electronic ignition, I had to have at least 14 volts registering on the battery, cold or it would not start..... thanks, sorry for a stupid question __________________ Doug THANK YOU to our American Soldiers & Veterans - POW MIA "You will NEVER be forgotten". The democracy will cease to exist when you take away from those who are willing to work and give to those who would not. Thomas Jefferson

03-07-2008, 04:36 AM	#2
Sport/Truck Sierra Grande Club Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: New Mexico USA Posts: 2,433	Re: No load battery voltage.... your battery is weak. Should be higher.....I'll find a link for you. s/t __________________ 1971 GMC Sierra Grande, 1/2 ton short wide, original 4 bolt 010 020 block & heads. (matching #'s). 383 stroker, SMI q jet 750 cfm, Lunati Voodoo 60102 cam, Scorpion roller rockers, Spin Tech pro street mufflers with X pipe.

03-07-2008, 04:40 AM	#3
Sport/Truck Sierra Grande Club Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: New Mexico USA Posts: 2,433	Re: No load battery voltage.... Here it is. http://www.odysseybatteries.com/charging.htm BTW these battery's rock! s/t __________________ 1971 GMC Sierra Grande, 1/2 ton short wide, original 4 bolt 010 020 block & heads. (matching #'s). 383 stroker, SMI q jet 750 cfm, Lunati Voodoo 60102 cam, Scorpion roller rockers, Spin Tech pro street mufflers with X pipe.

03-07-2008, 05:34 AM	#4
DavesRide Registered User Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Garageless, Missouri Posts: 408	Re: No load battery voltage.... Do you have a generator with external regulator? I have watched many charging systems (alternator) if not under load go towards 13+ Volts with internal alternator. What again are your starting problems? The gauge inside truck can be very deceiving. My brother's old 66 gauge (generator) would peg if you honked the horn while running and then go back normal. Check at the battery with a good meter like a FLUKE and check it without any load and check with load like all lights on, fan on, and radio. It should never drop below 12 V ever or it is discharging battery. __________________ R.I.P ESLL Even as the body dies the spirit lives on in the people you touched

03-07-2008, 06:11 AM	#5
joedoozer is Certifiable Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Hinesville, Georgia Posts: 160	Re: No load battery voltage.... yeah test it with a good known meter. and go to napa or your local parts store and buy a toaster. battery load tester, that will tell you what shape it is in.

03-07-2008, 06:51 AM	#6
tcb-1 Nothing to see here..... Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Shawnee, KS Posts: 4,625	Re: No load battery voltage.... since I've been into restoring bikes so long, my charger is only for a small 12 volt battery. soooooo I have the battery in the garage on the motorcycle charger. I'm going to leave it on all night. I thought the battery (Exide) was still "good", but it may be getting the boot soon..... I actually have a digital Craftsman volt meter, but I may run to Napa and buy the battery load tester as well (thanks Joedoozer!) __________________ Doug THANK YOU to our American Soldiers & Veterans - POW MIA "You will NEVER be forgotten". The democracy will cease to exist when you take away from those who are willing to work and give to those who would not. Thomas Jefferson

03-07-2008, 08:03 AM	#7
HotGMC Registered User Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Stockton, Ca Posts: 128	Re: No load battery voltage.... i dont know to much on the subject, but i know mine runs around 15 3/4-17 volts. is it having issues starting or just you think the volts are low?

03-07-2008, 08:38 AM	#10
AlienYouth Registered User Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Westminster, Maryland Posts: 411	Re: No load battery voltage.... like 12.7-13 is full charge somethin like 14-15 while running __________________ Picturesss 71 C10 383/TH400 13.65 @ 99... 2.06 60' spinnin :/

03-07-2008, 08:51 AM	#11
DavesRide Registered User Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Garageless, Missouri Posts: 408	Re: No load battery voltage.... Never seen that on a normal vehicle. I really haven't. 9v under full load is lowest on good batttery under full load and 14.v while regulator is in "give it all to me" mode. __________________ R.I.P ESLL Even as the body dies the spirit lives on in the people you touched

03-07-2008, 09:16 AM	#12
Wreckless_71 Registered User Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Kelso, WA Posts: 363	Re: No load battery voltage.... your battery should be right around 12v if you walk out of your house and put a volt meter on it... it should be about 14.6v while charging (running). Dave's right 15-17 will create a very unsatesfactory smell from your battery and is quite dangerous, I deffinitly would not be standing around to test that battery! __________________ 1972 K10 4" lift, 35’s, 383 stroker, 700r4, current project. 1971 C10 3"/5" static drop, 355/350. "La Bamba.” The current daily driver.

03-07-2008, 09:45 AM	#13
jef5150 Inline 69 Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: valleysprings,california Posts: 1,018	Re: No load battery voltage.... just because the voltage is 13-14volts at the battery while the motor is running doesnt mean your battery has enough "AMPERAGE" to re-start the car.It means your alternator is charging. i would swap batteries from a good car,if it cranks over good and starts right up replace your battery.If you still have the same symptoms i would then check for loose cable/oily connection, especially the ground.Even if your "battery charger" says its "fullycharged" you could have a bad cell and it will still "slow crank" your motor . jeff



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