Low voltage??
Hotshot
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 14,069
Likes: 17
From: Melbourne, Ky
As for marker lights, they make both LEDs and the regular bulbs. The LED's will reduce your current draw considerably, but they are a little more pricy. The LEDS are actually brighter on my work trucks compared to the Thomas Edison bulbs too! Something else that might draw current is your emergency brake system for your trailer if you have one. The battery in that system draws current through the pigtail to stay charged up. That is of course, if you have one.
Hotshot
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 11,132
Likes: 3
From: Southern West Virginia
That's good, I think you'll be ok.
Postmaster
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 4,195
Likes: 6
From: Medford Oregon
Alternator probably going out. Once glow plugs are OFF you should read the same thing at idle or higher rpm's, especially with no load. My scan gauge reads 14.5 volts @ idle with headlights on and heater / ac turned to high. Your issue sounds the same as mine and I put up with it for a few weeks then finally replaced the alternator. If it is the alternator it will slowly get worse however imo you should be able to make it home just fine.
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Hotshot
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 10,410
Likes: 77
From: Plankinton, SD
Thanks a lot guys. I feel better about it now with your opinions. Sounds like I need a new alternator and starter. I guess that is all that is left. I don't know if I can swing both mean green prices on these though at once since I just spent quite a bit on the suspension. Maybe I can squeeze a little time out of the starter and just get the alternator for now.
Thoughts on driving home at night? They are going to try to run yesterdays and todays race in one day. They don't have enough lights to run at dark, but it would for sure be dark when I'd be driving. It still hasn't cleared up. I can wait til morning if you think I should, just wanted to get back to do some other stuff, but I'd rather be safe.
Thoughts on driving home at night? They are going to try to run yesterdays and todays race in one day. They don't have enough lights to run at dark, but it would for sure be dark when I'd be driving. It still hasn't cleared up. I can wait til morning if you think I should, just wanted to get back to do some other stuff, but I'd rather be safe.
Fleet Owner
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 20,419
Likes: 197
From: AZ
It doesn't sound like a big concern yet, I would go for it. But that's me, if you break down don't blame me, LOL. My mean grean stays right about 14 most of the time, it just sounds like yours is getting a little weak.
Senior User
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 394
Likes: 0
From: Nederland, TX
I'm pretty sure my alt has been going out for a while now. At night with the lights on sitting at an idle I can watch the voltage/charge gauge drop down. Give it some juice and the lights get a lot brighter then slowly get dim again.
If I was you I'd just drive on home as long as you can see.
If I was you I'd just drive on home as long as you can see.
Fleet Owner
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 20,419
Likes: 197
From: AZ
240 miles, has your battery light come on yet?
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Alternators should run in the 14-16 volt range. Yours is getting weak from what you said. 13.5 volts should be enough to get you home at night.
13.5 means you are still charging your batteries, so you should be good to go. When you drop below 12.6, the alt is not charging batteries fully anymore. It will be easier on the alt if you travel in the daytime, though.
13.5 means you are still charging your batteries, so you should be good to go. When you drop below 12.6, the alt is not charging batteries fully anymore. It will be easier on the alt if you travel in the daytime, though.
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Hotshot
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 10,410
Likes: 77
From: Plankinton, SD
Ya, qualifying is about over and I got my money back for the shootout that was supposed to happen last nite so I can leave after this race is over. They were gonna run that after this race tonite but I don't think they will have time anyway. Still be an hour before eliminations start for this race. Still be close to dark if not dark, depending on how I do, before I get home. Putting a full charge into my new batteries and cell phone as we speak.
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Hotshot
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 10,410
Likes: 77
From: Plankinton, SD
Made it home safe and sound. No problems. Scangauge stayed at 13.2-13.5 all the way home. Thanks guys. Time to decide on what to get for an alternator now. I'm either going to go with a mean green, or I'm gonna check with partsguyed for the price of a ford one also. He hopefully has a new pigtail for the alternator too. Maybe a new license plate bracket for the front too..