Intermittent Electrical Voltage readings?
#1
Intermittent Electrical Voltage readings?
Of course this started after my turbo work and when it started getting cold. Coincedence, I hope so...
My Volt gauge on the dash has started reading around 10V with the key on waiting on the GP's. Batteries read +/- 12.6V with a DVM in a static state, no key.
Trying to get readings with a DVM solo in temps that chill you to the bone isn't all that fun or easy. I'll have to get better readings this weekend with a helper.
But, quickly as best as I could see the reading on the DS battery drop to around 10V with the key on, GP's cycling. Cranking drops down around 8Vish.
After starting the reading on the DS battery is back up to 10V. This lasts anywhere from 30 seconds to a few min. Then it jumps up to the expected 14.6V reading.
I'm kinda lost where to start troubleshooting this and all ideas are welcome.
P.S. I cleaned up the battery terminals and clamps while doing my turbo,and all the connections are tight.
Thanks!
My Volt gauge on the dash has started reading around 10V with the key on waiting on the GP's. Batteries read +/- 12.6V with a DVM in a static state, no key.
Trying to get readings with a DVM solo in temps that chill you to the bone isn't all that fun or easy. I'll have to get better readings this weekend with a helper.
But, quickly as best as I could see the reading on the DS battery drop to around 10V with the key on, GP's cycling. Cranking drops down around 8Vish.
After starting the reading on the DS battery is back up to 10V. This lasts anywhere from 30 seconds to a few min. Then it jumps up to the expected 14.6V reading.
I'm kinda lost where to start troubleshooting this and all ideas are welcome.
P.S. I cleaned up the battery terminals and clamps while doing my turbo,and all the connections are tight.
Thanks!
#2
As cold as it has been here in CO recently, I suspect this is pretty close to normal. GP and AIH running longer. Battery capacity weakened by cold.
This is hard on battery and alternator, so short trips or excessive idling will take a toll. I try to allow a couple minutes KOEO (glow plugs running, ignore WTS idiot light) on cold mornings.
Plugging in when below 20F for a few hours before starting will help.
This is hard on battery and alternator, so short trips or excessive idling will take a toll. I try to allow a couple minutes KOEO (glow plugs running, ignore WTS idiot light) on cold mornings.
Plugging in when below 20F for a few hours before starting will help.
#4
As cold as it has been here in CO recently, I suspect this is pretty close to normal. GP and AIH running longer. Battery capacity weakened by cold.
This is hard on battery and alternator, so short trips or excessive idling will take a toll. I try to allow a couple minutes KOEO (glow plugs running, ignore WTS idiot light) on cold mornings.
Plugging in when below 20F for a few hours before starting will help.
This is hard on battery and alternator, so short trips or excessive idling will take a toll. I try to allow a couple minutes KOEO (glow plugs running, ignore WTS idiot light) on cold mornings.
Plugging in when below 20F for a few hours before starting will help.
Where you at in the front range? I'm down here in Elbert, NE El Paso cnty. Haven't been able to ride in a few weeks because of work.
I believe they are about 1.5 yr old.
#6
All of the posts are correct in that what you are seeing is Voltage under a Load. The GP system can use 100 Ah draw on the system easily. And, when colder, the on-time duration lasts up to 120 seconds. In extreme cold, it will reactivate itself after a 15 second delay.
In lieu of a second person to assist, you can easily make one of these for about $25
Here is a time vs temp chart for GP activation
In lieu of a second person to assist, you can easily make one of these for about $25
Here is a time vs temp chart for GP activation
#7
My Volt gauge on the dash has started reading around 10V with the key on waiting on the GP's. Batteries read +/- 12.6V with a DVM in a static state, no key.
I could see the reading on the DS battery drop to around 10V with the key on, GP's cycling. Cranking drops down around 8Vish.
After starting the reading on the DS battery is back up to 10V. This lasts anywhere from 30 seconds to a few min. Then it jumps up to the expected 14.6V reading.
I could see the reading on the DS battery drop to around 10V with the key on, GP's cycling. Cranking drops down around 8Vish.
After starting the reading on the DS battery is back up to 10V. This lasts anywhere from 30 seconds to a few min. Then it jumps up to the expected 14.6V reading.
Everything you describe is perfectly normal. The only issue worth paying attention to is the 8 volt reading on crank. This suggests that your batteries are being cycled too deeply when having to produce cranking amps after powering your glowplugs, and as such, your batteries may not last as long.
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#8
All of the posts are correct in that what you are seeing is Voltage under a Load. The GP system can use 100 Ah draw on the system easily. And, when colder, the on-time duration lasts up to 120 seconds. In extreme cold, it will reactivate itself after a 15 second delay.
In lieu of a second person to assist, you can easily make one of these for about $25
Here is a time vs temp chart for GP activation
In lieu of a second person to assist, you can easily make one of these for about $25
Here is a time vs temp chart for GP activation
What is odd is that it has never done this in the 15+ years I've owned it, even in previous winters. Unless my GPR is heading south.
#9
#10
I expect the slight drop for the GP cycle, but expect to see the voltage jump up to 14.x immediately after it's running. The delay is throwing me off.
Where you at in the front range? I'm down here in Elbert, NE El Paso cnty. Haven't been able to ride in a few weeks because of work.
I believe they are about 1.5 yr old.
Where you at in the front range? I'm down here in Elbert, NE El Paso cnty. Haven't been able to ride in a few weeks because of work.
I believe they are about 1.5 yr old.
I'm in Thornton now, but spent 20 years on the Rampart Range. Work 3 days a week east of Brighton helping at a small training facility where my daughter and daughter in law keep their pasture ornaments.
I don't ride much since my Appy passed 2 years ago. Sure miss that guy!
#11
Your alternator is struggling to overcome the high amp draw at low idle speed (normal for cold climates), but I would not be overly concerned unless you cannot get back to normal voltage output fairly quickly. It will take a good 30 minutes at >1500 RPM for the batteries to recover. I am on my 3rd alternator in 14 yrs, some of which may be due to the snowplow I ran for a few years.
I'm in Thornton now, but spent 20 years on the Rampart Range. Work 3 days a week east of Brighton helping at a small training facility where my daughter and daughter in law keep their pasture ornaments.
I don't ride much since my Appy passed 2 years ago. Sure miss that guy!
I'm in Thornton now, but spent 20 years on the Rampart Range. Work 3 days a week east of Brighton helping at a small training facility where my daughter and daughter in law keep their pasture ornaments.
I don't ride much since my Appy passed 2 years ago. Sure miss that guy!
My daughter rides an Appy. We just picked him up earlier this year. 6 y/o gelding. His previous owner wasn't able to ride any longer. We ended up getting him, an older mare and 2 mini's from them. Only a few pasture ornaments.
#12
The Harbor Freight carbon pile battery load tester is cheap (just over $40 with a 20% coupon) and after opening it up and tightening the various connections it is a great tool for load testing your batteries. Add a hydrometer to that for serviceable batteries and you will know in a few minutes if your batteries are up to the job. A few points:
1. Test them individually, not connected to the truck
2. Fully charge before checking specific gravity and do not add water before checking SG.
3. Fully charge before load testing.
4. Use a DMM while load testing for better accuracy than the HF gauge and use temperature compensation on the result.
1. Test them individually, not connected to the truck
2. Fully charge before checking specific gravity and do not add water before checking SG.
3. Fully charge before load testing.
4. Use a DMM while load testing for better accuracy than the HF gauge and use temperature compensation on the result.
#13
I've had a 100A tester for smaller batteries for a while. I was looking at carbon piles last week and then researched the newer electronic testers. It looks like I could get more bang for the buck getting a Solar BA9 or better a Foxwell BT705. Have you had a chance to compare the pile to electronic testers? I don't want to derail this thread, feel free to PM me instead if you like.
#14
I've had a 100A tester for smaller batteries for a while. I was looking at carbon piles last week and then researched the newer electronic testers. It looks like I could get more bang for the buck getting a Solar BA9 or better a Foxwell BT705. Have you had a chance to compare the pile to electronic testers? I don't want to derail this thread, feel free to PM me instead if you like.
Here's some interesting reading: http://www.vehicleservicepros.com/ar...f-load-testers
#15
A 100 amp tester is not enough to put a realistic load on an 850 CCA battery, needs to be loaded to 1/2 of it's cranking amps to get the whole picture.
Here's some interesting reading: Tech Tip: The advantages of load testers
Here's some interesting reading: Tech Tip: The advantages of load testers
Maybe I'll keep researching.... I do like the ability to do a trend analysis on them from when they are new. Maybe I'll just have to get both, lol