Voltage issues

[shammyhavik]

I recently upgraded my electrical to all 0/2 weld including big 3 and two agm batteries.

Last night after coming home from work I noticed my voltage was having hard time rising above 14v. This is not normal when riding on the freeway at normal music levels.

After parking and shutting the engine off i watched the meter drop to 12v! I was sure to turn the radio down before shutting off the engine. Then this morning I took the DMM to both batts for the sake of it and they read 11.45v

My car still started somehow but i noticed a struggle in the start.

Now today my voltage is doing better than yesterday when cruising because it rose above 14v.

What the hell is going on here?

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[adulbrich 5,000+ posts]

Batt or alt could be going out

You can have both tested at local auto parts store. I get my stuff tested all the time. I've never been charged for it

 

[shammyhavik]

**** it's probably the alt because I just purchased both batts from Chauncey who tested them and load tested them hiself

 

[adulbrich 5,000+ posts]

Ok, then I would recommend getting the charging system tested. They should do it for free.

How is your voltage regulated? A problem with the control module is the only other thing I can think of if wiring and batteries were both good.

What vehicle?

 

[shammyhavik]

So now even when im not playing music & come to a complete stop im voltage drops to 13.

My vehicle is a 2006 hyundai sonata lx 3.3L

Idk how my voltage is regulated, but my electrical was installed by CSCstang and he took the time to do it right.

 

[big scott]

if its reading 14+ when running its charging.

if it went to 12 exactly when you **** if off , and your batterys are reading below 12volt then it sounds like batterys.

it should read about 12.5 volts when you shut it off.

 

[TheFiverMan 10+ year member]

Start your car put the DMM to the batt and see if you are getting a steady reading of 13.8-14.4 volts with the car running. Check all your connections also. Could be something lose. Doesnt matter if he took his time and the best installer on the planet. Things happen.

 

[adulbrich 5,000+ posts]

Did you have voltage issues immediately after the work was done?

Even if the batteries are good, you may have a parasitic drain. Did you install anything new?

 

[shammyhavik]

Checked dmm with the car started and i'm at 12.5v at idle, then at 12v with the car off..

I didn't add any equipment after the electrical was done. Also nothing is loose i checked.

Idk if it's relevant but one battery sounds less solid than the other when ii knock on it.

No voltage issues after work was donei. I was steady 14-14.4 whenc cruising now i don't even see 14.4 with the music off

 

[adulbrich 5,000+ posts]

One battery may have crapped on you. Auto Zone will do a load test for free. I'd disconnect the batteries from each other and have them tested individually

 

[Jeffdachef 5,000+ posts]

You might have drained the batteries if you've clipped your amp, put a trickle charger on them overnight.

Your stock alt could also be failing because there's two batteries it has to charge along with bigger current demands from the amp.

 

[shammyhavik]

Goddddd dangit i just bought them too T-T

i'll get them tested tomorrow when i'm off work. What a pita

 

[shammyhavik]

You might have drained the batteries if you've clipped your amp, put a trickle charger on them overnight.
Your stock alt could also be failing because there's two batteries it has to charge along with bigger current demands from the amp.

I don't have a trickle charger and i've been wary of clipping since i first smelled the coils after getting the electrical done

 

[Jeffdachef 5,000+ posts]

the autozone places sometimes have a portable load tester and can test your batteries without you removing it.

 

---------- Post added at 02:13 PM ---------- Previous post was at 02:12 PM ----------

 

Checked dmm with the car started and i'm at 12.5v at idle, then at 12v with the car off..
I didn't add any equipment after the electrical was done. Also nothing is loose i checked.

Idk if it's relevant but one battery sounds less solid than the other when ii knock on it.

No voltage issues after work was donei. I was steady 14-14.4 whenc cruising now i don't even see 14.4 with the music off

12.5 volt at idle sounds like something's wrong with the alt

 

[shammyhavik]

J's ult alts here i come x)

Seriously tho i'll let you all know what the autoshop says