Low voltage at times normal?

Quiksilver16ss · 03-26-2016, 07:05 PM

Getting to where i pay attention more to the gauges now and noticed today on a trip to the store that the voltage gauge was reading way low. It was saying 12.5-13 at 62 mph. I checked it with a voltmeter I have awhile ago at idle after cranking and it started around 13 and finally got to 14.5 after a few minutes. Is it normal to be that low at cruising speeds? Car seems to turnover normal tho. Didn't kno if it was a way to conserve fuel economy or something. Car has 500 miles. Thanks in advance

Glen e · 03-26-2016, 07:10 PM

All the new cars now have intelligent charging. They only charge when They need it, meaning that if your battery is low, Itll charge around 14 , if not it will drop to 12.5 it's normal.

Remember if your engine is running you're looking at the charging system, not the battery voltage. Batt Voltage is when the car is completely off and the battery is at rest.

SSport16 · 03-26-2016, 07:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Quiksilver16ss

Getting to where i pay attention more to the gauges now and noticed today on a trip to the store that the voltage gauge was reading way low. It was saying 12.5-13 at 62 mph. I checked it with a voltmeter I have awhile ago at idle after cranking and it started around 13 and finally got to 14.5 after a few minutes. Is it normal to be that low at cruising speeds? Car seems to turnover normal tho. Didn't kno if it was a way to conserve fuel economy or something. Car has 500 miles. Thanks in advance

Voltage in most cars typically fluctuates, depending on what you have on in the car, it can cause the voltage to fluctuate. Normal.

Quiksilver16ss · 03-26-2016, 07:17 PM

Ok so that's normal.. Good! Guess I was paranoid. I appreciate it yall.

6th Gen SS · 03-27-2016, 12:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Quiksilver16ss

Ok so that's normal.. Good! Guess I was paranoid. I appreciate it yall.

Can u post pics of that bad boy? Looks sick in that ava

Zeke.Malvo · 03-27-2016, 08:06 AM

This is the first that I've heard of voltage fluctuation being normal. None of my cars have ever had fluctuating voltages, except for my old cobra. And when it did, it was a tell-tale sign that the alternator was going to give up the ghost real soon.

The only times I've heard of voltage dropping was at WOT when some cars are programed to have the alternator turned off.

Sent from my SGH-M919 using Tapatalk

Number 3 · 03-27-2016, 08:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zeke.Malvo

This is the first that I've heard of voltage fluctuation being normal. None of my cars have ever had fluctuating voltages, except for my old cobra. And when it did, it was a tell-tale sign that the alternator was going to give up the ghost real soon.

The only times I've heard of voltage dropping was at WOT when some cars are programed to have the alternator turned off.

Sent from my SGH-M919 using Tapatalk

Not any more. For even better FE, your voltage regulator only charges when needed to either maintain the battery or maintain electrical performance. Mine adjusts all the time and every car I've had for some time has done the same thing.

cellsafemode · 03-27-2016, 08:44 AM

The manual I believe mentions this. ~12 volts while running is normal if the battery is fully charged.

Quiksilver16ss · 03-27-2016, 09:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 6th Gen SS

Can u post pics of that bad boy? Looks sick in that ava

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Ragnar · 03-27-2016, 09:26 AM

Normal and your car looks great OP!

6th Gen SS · 03-27-2016, 11:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Quiksilver16ss

Attachment 784239

Attachment 784240

Nice!

Quiksilver16ss · 03-27-2016, 10:13 PM

Nice as well love the hash marks on the yellow

Shaunsmb · 04-03-2016, 08:12 PM

This low?

cellsafemode · 04-03-2016, 08:50 PM

Yup. 12v is normal for a charged battery during normal operation. You can verify on the info screen rather than the dial.

You will only see 14 when actively charging the battery, which unlike older cars isn't always when the engine is on. It's only as needed

03-26-2016, 07:05 PM	#1
Quiksilver16ss Drives: 2016 camaro 1ss Join Date: Mar 2016 Location: Bath, Nc Posts: 251	Low voltage at times normal? Getting to where i pay attention more to the gauges now and noticed today on a trip to the store that the voltage gauge was reading way low. It was saying 12.5-13 at 62 mph. I checked it with a voltmeter I have awhile ago at idle after cranking and it started around 13 and finally got to 14.5 after a few minutes. Is it normal to be that low at cruising speeds? Car seems to turnover normal tho. Didn't kno if it was a way to conserve fuel economy or something. Car has 500 miles. Thanks in advance

03-26-2016, 07:10 PM	#2
Glen e Retired from Car mfrs.... Drives: 2LT RS/HR-V Join Date: May 2013 Location: /Fort Lauderdale Posts: 10,048	All the new cars now have intelligent charging. They only charge when They need it, meaning that if your battery is low, Itll charge around 14 , if not it will drop to 12.5 it's normal. Remember if your engine is running you're looking at the charging system, not the battery voltage. Batt Voltage is when the car is completely off and the battery is at rest. __________________ Glen CLICK HERE for detailing a new car: detailing for non detailers CLICK HERE for how to rinseless CLICK HERE for EASY wheel sealant

03-27-2016, 08:06 AM	#6
Zeke.Malvo Drives: 1969 Mustang MaCh1 Join Date: Nov 2015 Location: SJ Posts: 835	This is the first that I've heard of voltage fluctuation being normal. None of my cars have ever had fluctuating voltages, except for my old cobra. And when it did, it was a tell-tale sign that the alternator was going to give up the ghost real soon. The only times I've heard of voltage dropping was at WOT when some cars are programed to have the alternator turned off. Sent from my SGH-M919 using Tapatalk __________________ 1969 Pro-Touring MaCh 1 - CHP 427w 10.8 comp - 3140 lbs. - 460 rwhp / 490 rwtq T56 Magnum \|\| 14" 6 piston front / 13" 4 piston rear Wilwood brakes \|\| Hydraulic clutch \|\| 9" Detroit Locker \|\| TCP Coilovers \|\| Forgeline Wheels 18x10 275/35 front, 19x12 325/30 rear

03-27-2016, 09:26 AM	#10
Ragnar Destroyed by flooding Drives: Wife's car Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: Louisiana Posts: 4,673	Normal and your car looks great OP! __________________

04-03-2016, 08:12 PM	#13
Shaunsmb Drives: 2016 Camaro SS 2SS Join Date: Jan 2016 Location: Jacksonville AL Posts: 31 View My Garage	This low? This low? Attached Images

03-26-2016, 07:17 PM	#4
Quiksilver16ss Drives: 2016 camaro 1ss Join Date: Mar 2016 Location: Bath, Nc Posts: 251	Ok so that's normal.. Good! Guess I was paranoid. I appreciate it yall.

03-27-2016, 08:44 AM	#8
cellsafemode Drives: 2016 Camaro 1LT Join Date: Jan 2016 Location: California Posts: 3,491	The manual I believe mentions this. ~12 volts while running is normal if the battery is fully charged.

03-27-2016, 10:13 PM	#12
Quiksilver16ss Drives: 2016 camaro 1ss Join Date: Mar 2016 Location: Bath, Nc Posts: 251	Nice as well love the hash marks on the yellow

04-03-2016, 08:50 PM	#14
cellsafemode Drives: 2016 Camaro 1LT Join Date: Jan 2016 Location: California Posts: 3,491	Yup. 12v is normal for a charged battery during normal operation. You can verify on the info screen rather than the dial. You will only see 14 when actively charging the battery, which unlike older cars isn't always when the engine is on. It's only as needed

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