Battery Voltage (Pictures)

[colingordon]

So I am just curious how far down can your battery voltage go and still be able to turn your car on?

I am talking about this

[Stealth6]

Originally Posted by colingordon

So I am just curious how far down can your battery voltage go and still be able to turn your car on?

I am talking about this

Attachment 416607

Voltage does not really matter, it is the AMPS that deliver the power to start the car. A starter will crank at least as low as 7.5 volts. Voltage with no load tells you very little...

[colingordon]

Originally Posted by Stealth6

Voltage does not really matter, it is the AMPS that deliver the power to start the car. Voltage with no load tells you very little...

Ohhh ok. Is there anyway for me to know how many AMPS my car has easily? Lol

[2010SLVRBULIT]

probably 11.9v w/o a load(engine not running)

[Stealth6]

Originally Posted by colingordon

Ohhh ok. Is there anyway for me to know how many AMPS my car has easily? Lol

The battery is rated at a certain number of Cold Cranking Amps. On top of your battery, you should be able see what your CCA is.
To do a starter current draw test.... You'll need a " clamp-on" ammeter and voltage meter.
1. Connect the tester leads to the correct positive and negative terminals and then connect the clamp-on amps pickup around one of the battery cables.
2. Set the voltage meter to Int 18V and adjust ammeter to read zero.
3. Disable the fuel or ignition so the engine will not start during test.
4. Crank the engine as you observe the testers ammeter and voltmeter.
5. Never crank engine for more than 15 seconds and allow the starter to cool for 2 minutes between cranks.

[colingordon]

No I'm not having problems I was just curious.... Thanks for all of your input though!

[Mishimoto]

By the way, the Delco batteries that GM puts in their vehicles normally last pretty good in your area. I've seen fleet GM vehicles go 5 years on the original battery and personal vehicles normally go to 8 years of service.

[clg_98ta]

Battery should put out 14.5 volts with no load. A battery only putting out 12 volts has a dead cell.

With car running, voltage tells you how well charging system is working.

[colingordon]

Originally Posted by clg_98ta

Battery should put out 14.5 volts with no load. A battery only putting out 12 volts has a dead cell.

With car running, voltage tells you how well charging system is working.

I don't know this is what my car say its running. Let you know my car is also off in this picture

[babytiger]

Originally Posted by Mishimoto

By the way, the Delco batteries that GM puts in their vehicles normally last pretty good in your area. I've seen fleet GM vehicles go 5 years on the original battery and personal vehicles normally go to 8 years of service.

Must be nice, down here the concrete jungle will kill a battery

[colingordon]

My car idling (picture taken one minute after I turned car on and that was after I was using the battery in my car for 30 - 45 minutes without it running)

[Mishimoto]

Originally Posted by babytiger

Must be nice, down here the concrete jungle will kill a battery

Actually the Delco batteries seem to last the longest for whatever reason. I'll only install Delco units in GM vehicles once the original one dies because most of the other stuff lasts 3-5 regardless of what they say.

[Grey Ghost]

5 year batteries last 3-4 years in Florida.

[JohnnyBfromPeoria]

Three years out of a battery in Phoenix is pretty good.

I'd take that 12.1 volt battery in to have it load tested, probably. Colin's car is brand new.

John B.