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Alternator intermittently charging?
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<blockquote data-quote="Mooncatt" data-source="post: 8674490" data-attributes="member: 676968"><p>12.5V is the normal resting voltage when fully charged, so that's about right. Charging voltage is higher because the charging source (alternator) must be higher to allow the current to flow. It's like trying to fill a bucket of water from another bucket via a hose. If the filled bucket is higher than the empty one, water will flow you the empty one. If they are at the same level, water will fill the empty one until both are equal. You can think of the height difference as the voltage difference between the alternator and battery. If the alternator charged only to 12.5 V, the battery would never reach its full charge, just as if those two buckets were on the same level.</p><p></p><p>I haven't used an Optima since the early 2000's. If they are designed to run at 13.1V, I'm not sure if it will be possible to get it there without some extensive work. Maybe others can let you know if 12.5-12.8V is ok with it, but I'd also check with Optima themselves for an official answer. It could just be a moot point if things are working fine and they are ok with it in these variable charging systems.</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="Mooncatt, post: 8674490, member: 676968"] 12.5V is the normal resting voltage when fully charged, so that's about right. Charging voltage is higher because the charging source (alternator) must be higher to allow the current to flow. It's like trying to fill a bucket of water from another bucket via a hose. If the filled bucket is higher than the empty one, water will flow you the empty one. If they are at the same level, water will fill the empty one until both are equal. You can think of the height difference as the voltage difference between the alternator and battery. If the alternator charged only to 12.5 V, the battery would never reach its full charge, just as if those two buckets were on the same level. I haven't used an Optima since the early 2000's. If they are designed to run at 13.1V, I'm not sure if it will be possible to get it there without some extensive work. Maybe others can let you know if 12.5-12.8V is ok with it, but I'd also check with Optima themselves for an official answer. It could just be a moot point if things are working fine and they are ok with it in these variable charging systems. [/QUOTE]
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Alternator intermittently charging?
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