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15th September 2019, 12:51 | #11 | |
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15th September 2019, 13:51 | #12 |
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My understanding was that the regulators job was to keep the voltage that the alternator produces between 13.5 and 14.5 volts, the idea being that most auto components could deal with this level.
Is this not the case? |
15th September 2019, 15:28 | #13 |
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The voltage can certainly be between those two values but it should be constant, not variable.
Simon
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15th September 2019, 15:53 | #14 |
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The voltage going into the battery is kept around 14 volts for a very good reason. Not to safeguard the electrical components but to prevent damage to the battery.
The battery needs never to go above bath water temperature.--If the battery starts getting hot it will start to lose H2O from the electrolyte. The acid in the battery becomes stronger and the acid level in the battery becomes lower exposing the plates. This then reduces the batteries ability to store electricity. 14.5 will NOT make this water loss happen. Nor will it damage any electrical components. Sooooooooooooooo, stop worrying.---- |
15th September 2019, 16:35 | #15 | |
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15th September 2019, 19:11 | #16 |
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I understand your point about current and load, however, my understanding has always been that the voltage from the alternator will fluctuate depending on temperature and load requirements, controlled by clever electronics.
I have the ice system showing present voltage on the screen. At rest, before engine starts it shows battery voltage, usually around 12.6 If the battery voltage is low, or there is a high load on startup, I get 14.5 volts. During and after a long run, it typically drops to around 13.7. Is this not one of the functions of the ECU and canbus? |
15th September 2019, 19:46 | #17 | |
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16th September 2019, 15:53 | #18 | |
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Voltage being the PRESSURE of electricity. Amperage the QUANTITY. The ideal charge to give a battery long life is around 5 amps. |
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16th September 2019, 16:01 | #19 |
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Thanks Jon,
I thought this variable alternator voltage output was normal. Last edited by chillyphil; 16th September 2019 at 16:02.. Reason: Spelling |
16th September 2019, 16:10 | #20 | |
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Your smart charger is applying 13.71 volts because it senses that is all the battery needs to maintain its condition. If your sensor in your charger detects a low voltage in a battery it's charging it will increase the rate of charge to a higher but safe level.------A level ,that I said in a previous post, that will not OVERHEAT the batteries electrolyte. |
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