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I have a voltage meter installed in the bed of my Maverick. I noticed the same thing.
My compressor wasn't able to kick on once due to the voltage being at 12. So, I had to get in and turn the key for it to work, even though the gas engine didn't run.
My compressor wasn't able to kick on once due to the voltage being at 12. So, I had to get in and turn the key for it to work, even though the gas engine didn't run.
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This is a normal reading. A battery normally sits at 12.6. When a vehicle is running they tend to charge the battery at 13.8 to 14.5 you don’t want to be over 15 that’s too high.
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- #4
A good note would be outside temperature. A good charging system will vary voltage by temperature.
Also have you had any deep sleep mode messages in the app? Your voltage is a little on the low side about a 60% charge but this could be due to short trips.
The system is in charge mode so it knows the battery needs charged, after charge mode you will drop ~.8v and be in float mode but you will likely have to take a long trip to see this.
Also have you had any deep sleep mode messages in the app? Your voltage is a little on the low side about a 60% charge but this could be due to short trips.
The system is in charge mode so it knows the battery needs charged, after charge mode you will drop ~.8v and be in float mode but you will likely have to take a long trip to see this.
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OP
OP
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Heres is an update, first i had to double check MY work to ensure accurate data. I hooked my DVM directly to the 12v battery. The 2 different meters were fairly close. I still see 14.4vdc-14.6vdc to the battery.
Its like there are only 2 readings, 12.4vdc at rest with ignition off, once it starts it jumps to 14.6vdc. I have only noticed a variation when i drove for 1.5hr, shut the Mav off. Whereas the battery voltage dropped down 12.7vdc. Charged voltage after 1.5hours @14.6vdc charging rate. This makes no sense, so either its not charging the 12v adequate or you have to charge it over night to get voltage up.
I think 14.6 is a little aggressive for 12v charge rate, and 12.3vdc is a little low for 12v system. So trying to wrap my head around this. I am used to 12.8vdc or so. But i did see that the 12v charge rate stayed at 14.6vdc for 1.5hr, does it ever taper off voltage level?
Something is not adding up in my book.
I think 14.6 is a little aggressive for 12v charge rate, and 12.3vdc is a little low for 12v system. So trying to wrap my head around this. I am used to 12.8vdc or so. But i did see that the 12v charge rate stayed at 14.6vdc for 1.5hr, does it ever taper off voltage level?
Something is not adding up in my book.
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Unless I am misunderstanding something, the two voltage ranges seem normal because they reflect the two very different voltages between a battery at rest and one that is being charged.
It has been my experience that a lead acid battery will reflect the voltage of the charging system (14+ volts in this case) while charging and very quickly drop to 12+ when the charging stops. The battery will be supplied higher voltages by the alternator (or whatever is charging the battery) during a 'charge'.
It has been my experience that a lead acid battery will reflect the voltage of the charging system (14+ volts in this case) while charging and very quickly drop to 12+ when the charging stops. The battery will be supplied higher voltages by the alternator (or whatever is charging the battery) during a 'charge'.
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Not sure what current battery standards are but I was always of the understanding that the "normal" charging voltage and the "at rest" voltages would be as you are seeing but once a battery gets to about 80% of full charge it should drop to the "float" voltage of around 13.4-13.5v and slowly charge to 100% or close to it. That was what a healthy battery/charging circuit operated like. Not sure what has changed. I no longer even own a voltmeter so can't check my vehicles but wonder if this is something different in a Mav (Hybrid or EB)?
OP
OP
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- #8
Its perplexing to me, i have serviced/troubleshoot at least 1000 vehicles, i have cleaned alot of battery terminals in my life. Including replacing cables, starter relays, starters, remote mount batteries, running extended length new cables, and checking amp draws on starters as well alternators and even generators.
About 14.2vdc is what i looked for in a charging circuit. Then fully charged 12v battery is 12.6-12.8(2.1v per cell).
In my book these values are a lttle off, but i am old school. If you start getting up towards 15v, thats when you are going to start burning incandescent bulbs.
I drove for 1.5hrs with the battery charging at 14.6-14.7vdc and then it drops off to 12.5 real quick and then on to 12.3 in a minute.
Did you see those MPG figures?
Now these are only voltage levels which only tells 1/2 the picture.
Will monitor and collect more data.
About 14.2vdc is what i looked for in a charging circuit. Then fully charged 12v battery is 12.6-12.8(2.1v per cell).
In my book these values are a lttle off, but i am old school. If you start getting up towards 15v, thats when you are going to start burning incandescent bulbs.
I drove for 1.5hrs with the battery charging at 14.6-14.7vdc and then it drops off to 12.5 real quick and then on to 12.3 in a minute.
Did you see those MPG figures?
Now these are only voltage levels which only tells 1/2 the picture.
Will monitor and collect more data.
OP
OP
- Thread starter
- #9
More thoughts, i have not seen any different operation then 14.6vdc on the 12v buss. I would think that is 'hot' and probably not very healthy for electronics and motors and other such.
Same thought, i have not seen less then 14.6 on the battery, no taper at all. I would think that is very hot as well and definitely not a healthy environment for a battery. As Milton pointed out, there should be a taper off(float) position for the charging system?
And lastly, most important to me, here again 14.6vdc charging of the 12v system is pulling alot of extra juice from the HVB. Thusly reducing my FE.
Same thought, i have not seen less then 14.6 on the battery, no taper at all. I would think that is very hot as well and definitely not a healthy environment for a battery. As Milton pointed out, there should be a taper off(float) position for the charging system?
And lastly, most important to me, here again 14.6vdc charging of the 12v system is pulling alot of extra juice from the HVB. Thusly reducing my FE.
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