Overcharging?
Posted: Mon May 06, 2019 1:51 pm
Hello,
Finally got the Plus 2 out this Easter after fitting the battery which has been off the car and periodically charged with an Optimate maintainer for the winter.
Unfortunately I didn't check the voltage before I fitted it but I noticed it wasn't quite as lively turning over as last year. Anyway, got it started and drove 20 miles or so. When I got to my destination I checked the voltage a couple of hours after turning off and got the surprising reading of 13.8V - with the engine off. The journey back was done with the lights on which is usually guaranteed to drop the voltage a bit and the voltmeter in the car was showing what it always does which is just over 13V lights off, dropping to just about 12.5V lights on.
Car has been sitting for a couple of weeks now and I have just been down to see how the battery is. Before even trying to start the car I got 14V at the battery. Took it out to check the electrolyte level which was fine and re-tested it and it had dropped to 12.5V. Put it on the car but it didn't have enough power to start the engine.
Question is; could this excessive voltage be a symptom of the battery dying or do I have a problem with the Alternator too?
Robbie
Finally got the Plus 2 out this Easter after fitting the battery which has been off the car and periodically charged with an Optimate maintainer for the winter.
Unfortunately I didn't check the voltage before I fitted it but I noticed it wasn't quite as lively turning over as last year. Anyway, got it started and drove 20 miles or so. When I got to my destination I checked the voltage a couple of hours after turning off and got the surprising reading of 13.8V - with the engine off. The journey back was done with the lights on which is usually guaranteed to drop the voltage a bit and the voltmeter in the car was showing what it always does which is just over 13V lights off, dropping to just about 12.5V lights on.
Car has been sitting for a couple of weeks now and I have just been down to see how the battery is. Before even trying to start the car I got 14V at the battery. Took it out to check the electrolyte level which was fine and re-tested it and it had dropped to 12.5V. Put it on the car but it didn't have enough power to start the engine.
Question is; could this excessive voltage be a symptom of the battery dying or do I have a problem with the Alternator too?
Robbie