Normal Voltage Reading?

[Niedhogg]

I was curious, been driving My CJ daily for months now and the guage has always read around 15 volts, but lately I see it has creeped up a bit more, into the red now, and reading around 15-1/2 volts. Not sure where the guage pics up it's reading from, is it directly off the alternator and this is normal?... or does it read voltage after the regulator and this is way too high??

 

[tarry99]

I was curious, been driving My CJ daily for months now and the guage has always read around 15 volts, but lately I see it has creeped up a bit more, into the red now, and reading around 15-1/2 volts. Not sure where the guage pics up it's reading from, is it directly off the alternator and this is normal?... or does it read voltage after the regulator and this is way too high??

Normally it takes about 14-15 volts to fully charge a 12 volt Battery. Most alternators years back were set for 13.6. Hard to say how accurate your guage is..........or how new your alternator is?.........much more than 15+volts will start to cook or overcharge your battery. If you have a multi-meter you can put it across the terminals on the Battery while the motor is running and compare the readings both at Idle and say 1500 rpm.

 

[IOPort51]

as volt meters go , the one on your dash just barely qualifies.

Use a VOM for an acculturate reading. I have a pretty good autometer gauge on the dash and it is 1.5V+ off.

the part about the voltage rising is a bit interesting.

 

[hole]

The gauge should be used loosely as a suggestion, a hint if you will, of what the real voltage at the battery/alt is. My gauge goes from mid 13's to mid 14's but at the battery and alt it's always been 14.1-14.6.

 

[Torxhead]

Charging rate will vary with temperature also, charging more when cold.

 

[jasonmark1993]

Might have a failing regulator.

Normal charging is 13.8-14.2.

I'd do what the other guys said and throw a voltmeter on there to ensure the gauge is accurate.

When I bought my jeep the guy had a voltage regulator in with his break down bag if that means anything.

 

[Niedhogg]

Alright then, thanks guys.. I'll check it out tomorrow night after work, need to check my fluids and change the oil anyway.