Low Voltage

[XxSuperAdamxX 10+ year member]

I just upgraded my big 3. Positive battery to postive alternator. I don't see much of an upgrade because my car starts to sound like it's about to die right when I start the car. I look at my HU and it's telling me that my voltage is dropping down to 13's or high 12's. When I idle it's only at 13.9 but normally at 14.1 or 14.2. I don't know if it's because I switched the nut on my positve alt because I had to get a new nut due to old one got striped somehow I don't even know how.

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[dman4486 5,000+ posts]

nice hu...however you should use a dmm to make sure you are getting that voltage at the amp

I am assuming you are talking about having a sub playing?

 

[XxSuperAdamxX 10+ year member]

nope when my car is idling

 

[dman4486 5,000+ posts]

just idling with no stereo playing, no headlights or significant draw?

either way 13.9 is fine

 

[XxSuperAdamxX 10+ year member]

but...it used to idel at 14.2 with no battery + and alternator +. Now WITH THE 1/0 gauge upgrade, it idles at 13.9???? that's weird....

 

[dman4486 5,000+ posts]

but...it used to idel at 14.2 with no battery + and alternator +. Now WITH THE 1/0 gauge upgrade, it idles at 13.9???? that's weird....

your regulator may be getting a more efficient or correct reading and adjusting to what it should be.

edit: check it under load...if it holds voltage it is fine

 

[XxSuperAdamxX 10+ year member]

I dunno man...I just blasted my music loud and my voltage drop down to 12.7 and I think it cut off for a split second. Not sure if it was the song or my volts dropping so low. I've never seen my voltage drop to 12.9 when my car is on and music all the way up.

 

[dman4486 5,000+ posts]

maybe go for an alt test, sounds like you may have messed something up with the wire install

 

[Falder 10+ year member]

I just upgraded my big 3. Positive battery to postive alternator.

You did your grounds too right?

 

[XxSuperAdamxX 10+ year member]

maybe go for an alt test, sounds like you may have messed something up with the wire install

Maybe...I'ma get it checked out 2morrow.

 

[XxSuperAdamxX 10+ year member]

You did your grounds too right?

my battery negative yes.

 

[dman4486 5,000+ posts]

my battery negative yes.

so you didn't do the block/alt to frame?

do the entire 3 first and then see if you have an issue

 

[XxSuperAdamxX 10+ year member]

After the upgrade, my car shaked a bit and idle dropped a lot. After I drove teh car on the freeway the volts went back up and idle was kool. Well not even sure it's an upgrade since this sounds like a downgrade.

 

[XxSuperAdamxX 10+ year member]

so you didn't do the block/alt to frame?
do the entire 3 first and then see if you have an issue

I'll have to do the block/alt later on. I'm so tired from doing the positive to positive.

 

[dman4486 5,000+ posts]

After the upgrade, my car shaked a bit and idle dropped a lot. After I drove teh car on the freeway the volts went back up and idle was kool. Well not even sure it's an upgrade since this sounds like a downgrade.

if you don't understand the concept behind the big3, then don't bash it.....you have to do it correct and with a large enough wire!! any negative outcome is from installer error