What to look for in voltage numbers?

[PuZo 10+ year member]

I have a little gadget in my car that lets me look at lots of things, like temperatures, miles/galon, rpm etc. I just found out it also shows my voltage. It stays constant at 13.6-13.7. What should I be looking for? If I connect another battery, should it go down? If it ever drops below like 12, should I be worried? Thanks

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[01 S 10 10+ year member]

thats a decent voltage while the car is running. it doesnt change much at all if you add another battery. when your playing your system, it may drop, hopefully not below 12 volts though on heavy bass notes. adding extra batteries will keep from dropping as much.

 

[1rockford1 5,000+ posts]

14.2 is pretty good your a little low is that with music on,lights on or ac on? another battery would not make it go down it all should read the same front and back battery. what u got as far as audio goes in your ride bro?

 

[PuZo 10+ year member]

I cant remember, but does that show how much the alt is putting out in terms of voltage? Or how much the battery is putting out?

 

[walkychalky 10+ year member]

13.6 is good.....thats about average for most cars i think....thats what my voltage stays at too

 

[walkychalky 10+ year member]

I cant remember, but does that show how much the alt is putting out in terms of voltage? Or how much the battery is putting out?

both....if teh car is on its the alt....if the car is off its the batt

 

[Just_Crazy 10+ year member]

anything between 12.6-14.4 is good. Ideally for what we do 13.6-14.4 in what you want.

 

[I Like Waffle]

Is this at the batt or at the amp? with stock electrical and big 3 done im getting 14.6- 15.8 volts at the batt (dont know why its that high, the other pontiac (1968) pumps out 15.2 sometimes too and thats at the amp //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/eek.gif.771b7a90cf45cabdc554ff1121c21c4a.gif) and i get 14.2-13.6 or so with the subs at full tilt at the amp. With stock electrical and big 3 you should be staying atleast above 13 at the amp with decent wiring and a good ground. And if it drops below 12 when driving and stays there your alt just went bad, or your belt just snapped. //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/smile.gif.1ebc41e1811405b213edfc4622c41e27.gif