Camaro safe operating voltage ( Battery delete - lithium ) - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

Assassyn · 05-25-2021, 01:29 PM

Ok...my V6 Camaros voltage before upgrades would at times jump as high as 15.2. It would start around 12.6 or so and drive at 14.4-14.6 and at times jump to 15.2.

Battery and system checked fine. It's pre-owned so I am notnsure if that is something the former owner messed with or what.

Now I just upgraded the alternator to a high Output one (320 amp ) did a battery delete ( now running a 45Ah Lithium battery bank instead of the factory lead cell battery.

My question is this. My voltage even at rest car off is 14.4. That NEVER changes no matter what. I can't turn the AC on High, turn my bright lights on, turn the music up. I might drop to 14.3 most is like 14.2.

What's the safe voltage range for the Camaros electrical system. I have seen it ask from the old factory set up 15.2.

I was thinking of adding a voltage regulator bypass ( or PCM Bypass i think they are also called ) to just keep my voltage at a flat 15v. Will that damage the electrical?

Oh the bonuses to going lithium. Mn...start up are hard quick and powerful. Seems faster as well running off more voltage on demand. And a lithium Bank is smaller and hella lighter then a lead cell battery.

AlanRubin · 05-28-2021, 01:31 AM

You're fine. The Camaro has FIVE charging modes.

Battery Sulfation Mode
Charge Mode
Fuel Economy Mode
Headlamp Mode
Start Up Mode
Voltage Reduction Mode

Commanded Duty Cycle Generator Output Voltage:
10% 11 V
20% 11.56 V
30% 12.12 V
40% 12.68 V
50% 13.25 V
60% 13.81 V
70% 14.37 V
80% 14.94 V
90% 15.5 V

Battery Sulfation Mode
The BCM will enter this mode when the interpreted generator output voltage is less than 13.2 V for 45 minutes.
When this condition exists the BCM will enter Charge Mode for 2-3 minutes. The BCM will then determine
which mode to enter depending on voltage requirements The vehicle charging system regulates voltage based on the state of charge of the
battery.

Charge Mode
The BCM will enter Charge Mode when ever one of the following conditions are met:
>The wipers are ON for than 3 seconds.
>GMLAN (Climate Control Voltage Boost Mode Request) is true, as sensed by the HVAC control head.
>High speed cooling fan, rear defogger and HVAC high speed blower operation can cause the BCM to
enter the Charge Mode.
>The estimated battery temperature is less than 0°C (32°F).
>Battery State of Charge is less than 80 percent.
>Vehicle speed is greater than 145 km/h (90 mph)
>Current sensor fault exists.
>System voltage was determined to be below 12.56 V
When any one of these conditions is met, the system will set targeted generator output voltage to a charging
voltage between 13.9-15.5 V, depending on the battery state of charge and estimated battery temperature.

Fuel Economy Mode
The BCM will enter Fuel Economy Mode when the estimated battery temperature is at least 0°C (32°F) but less
than or equal to 80°C (176°F), the calculated battery current is less than 15 amperes and greater than -8
amperes, and the battery state-of-charge is greater than or equal to 80 percent. Its targeted generator output
voltage is the open circuit voltage of the battery and can be between 12.5-13.1 V. The BCM will exit this mode
and enter Charge Mode when any of the conditions described above are present.

Headlamp Mode
The BCM will enter Headlamp Mode when ever the headlamps are ON (high or low beams). Voltage will be
regulated between 13.9-14.5 V.

Start Up Mode
When the engine is started the BCM sets a targeted generator output voltage of 14.5 V for 30 seconds.

Voltage Reduction Mode
The BCM will enter Voltage Reduction Mode when the calculated ambient air temperature is above 0°C (32°F).
The calculated battery current is less than 1 ampere and greater than -7 amperes, and the generator field duty
cycle is less than 99 percent. Its targeted generator output voltage is 12.9 V. The BCM will exit this mode once
the criteria are met for Charge Mode.

It is normal for the volt gauge to fluctuate. You will get a code if the battery
voltage goes above 16V, or Below 11V for 15/10 consecutive seconds.

malibupaul · 03-16-2025, 07:53 PM

Great information. My 2013 LS starts below 15 volts then goes to 15 after a minute or so and stays there. When I turn on lights and accessories then turn them off, it jumps to 15.1, then goes back to a steady 15. So this is normal??
I’ve been obsessed with it because my radio, screen and HVAC indicator lights go in and out. The problem doesn’t occur when the ignition is on but engine isn’t running, or when the engine is running and the alternator is disconnected. A replacement alternator didn’t fix it according to the dealer.

05-25-2021, 01:29 PM	#1
Assassyn Drives: 2014 Convertable Camero Join Date: Mar 2017 Location: Granger IN Posts: 36	Camaro safe operating voltage ( Battery delete - lithium ) Ok...my V6 Camaros voltage before upgrades would at times jump as high as 15.2. It would start around 12.6 or so and drive at 14.4-14.6 and at times jump to 15.2. Battery and system checked fine. It's pre-owned so I am notnsure if that is something the former owner messed with or what. Now I just upgraded the alternator to a high Output one (320 amp ) did a battery delete ( now running a 45Ah Lithium battery bank instead of the factory lead cell battery. My question is this. My voltage even at rest car off is 14.4. That NEVER changes no matter what. I can't turn the AC on High, turn my bright lights on, turn the music up. I might drop to 14.3 most is like 14.2. What's the safe voltage range for the Camaros electrical system. I have seen it ask from the old factory set up 15.2. I was thinking of adding a voltage regulator bypass ( or PCM Bypass i think they are also called ) to just keep my voltage at a flat 15v. Will that damage the electrical? Oh the bonuses to going lithium. Mn...start up are hard quick and powerful. Seems faster as well running off more voltage on demand. And a lithium Bank is smaller and hella lighter then a lead cell battery.

05-28-2021, 01:31 AM	#2
AlanRubin Banned Drives: 2010 LS Join Date: Feb 2021 Location: Pgh Posts: 411	You're fine. The Camaro has FIVE charging modes. Battery Sulfation Mode Charge Mode Fuel Economy Mode Headlamp Mode Start Up Mode Voltage Reduction Mode Commanded Duty Cycle Generator Output Voltage: 10% 11 V 20% 11.56 V 30% 12.12 V 40% 12.68 V 50% 13.25 V 60% 13.81 V 70% 14.37 V 80% 14.94 V 90% 15.5 V Battery Sulfation Mode The BCM will enter this mode when the interpreted generator output voltage is less than 13.2 V for 45 minutes. When this condition exists the BCM will enter Charge Mode for 2-3 minutes. The BCM will then determine which mode to enter depending on voltage requirements The vehicle charging system regulates voltage based on the state of charge of the battery. Charge Mode The BCM will enter Charge Mode when ever one of the following conditions are met: >The wipers are ON for than 3 seconds. >GMLAN (Climate Control Voltage Boost Mode Request) is true, as sensed by the HVAC control head. >High speed cooling fan, rear defogger and HVAC high speed blower operation can cause the BCM to enter the Charge Mode. >The estimated battery temperature is less than 0°C (32°F). >Battery State of Charge is less than 80 percent. >Vehicle speed is greater than 145 km/h (90 mph) >Current sensor fault exists. >System voltage was determined to be below 12.56 V When any one of these conditions is met, the system will set targeted generator output voltage to a charging voltage between 13.9-15.5 V, depending on the battery state of charge and estimated battery temperature. Fuel Economy Mode The BCM will enter Fuel Economy Mode when the estimated battery temperature is at least 0°C (32°F) but less than or equal to 80°C (176°F), the calculated battery current is less than 15 amperes and greater than -8 amperes, and the battery state-of-charge is greater than or equal to 80 percent. Its targeted generator output voltage is the open circuit voltage of the battery and can be between 12.5-13.1 V. The BCM will exit this mode and enter Charge Mode when any of the conditions described above are present. Headlamp Mode The BCM will enter Headlamp Mode when ever the headlamps are ON (high or low beams). Voltage will be regulated between 13.9-14.5 V. Start Up Mode When the engine is started the BCM sets a targeted generator output voltage of 14.5 V for 30 seconds. Voltage Reduction Mode The BCM will enter Voltage Reduction Mode when the calculated ambient air temperature is above 0°C (32°F). The calculated battery current is less than 1 ampere and greater than -7 amperes, and the generator field duty cycle is less than 99 percent. Its targeted generator output voltage is 12.9 V. The BCM will exit this mode once the criteria are met for Charge Mode. It is normal for the volt gauge to fluctuate. You will get a code if the battery voltage goes above 16V, or Below 11V for 15/10 consecutive seconds.

03-16-2025, 07:53 PM	#3
malibupaul Drives: 2013 Camaro 2LS Join Date: Mar 2022 Location: Pennsylvania Posts: 64	Great information. My 2013 LS starts below 15 volts then goes to 15 after a minute or so and stays there. When I turn on lights and accessories then turn them off, it jumps to 15.1, then goes back to a steady 15. So this is normal?? I’ve been obsessed with it because my radio, screen and HVAC indicator lights go in and out. The problem doesn’t occur when the ignition is on but engine isn’t running, or when the engine is running and the alternator is disconnected. A replacement alternator didn’t fix it according to the dealer.