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Voltmeter Question...Gauge says one thing, but Battery says another!

  • Thread starter Thread starter 91StangGT5.0
  • Start date Start date Mar 6, 2010

91StangGT5.0

Member
Oct 21, 2009
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Mar 6, 2010
#1
  • Mar 6, 2010
  • #1
Ok I have an Aftermarket Voltmeter wired in my car. When I take a read from the battery itself with the car off it's 12.9v. With the car on the battery reads 14.5v but the Voltmeter reads 13ish volts. I turned on the A/C on full blast along with the Headlights, Fog Lights, and my radio on turned up and the Voltmeter reads near 10v, but the battery reads around 13.0-13.3v. I have my Voltmeter wired with the radio's ground and to the fuse box. I want to match the reading on the battery with the gauge.

I also have an Underdrive crank pulley. It's the only underdrive I have. I also have a Cobra Overdrive water pump pulley.
 

beyondspexj

Member
Oct 30, 2009
265
0
17
Las Vegas
Mar 6, 2010
#2
  • Mar 6, 2010
  • #2
voltage drop is usual with the amount of load you put on the alt. do you have the stock alternator or a 3g?
 

393strokervert

Member
Jun 12, 2009
340
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17
florida
Mar 6, 2010
#3
  • Mar 6, 2010
  • #3
is this a digital gauge? if so, some of them have a tiny screw in the back of them to allow adjustment of the voltage readout. this adjustment allows you to take say a handheld meter, read what the battery is at & then adjust your cars meter to that number.
 

91StangGT5.0

Member
Oct 21, 2009
162
0
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Mar 6, 2010
#4
  • Mar 6, 2010
  • #4
No it's not a digital gauge. I have a 130a 3g alt. I'm about to install a 200a 3g
 

393strokervert

Member
Jun 12, 2009
340
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17
florida
Mar 6, 2010
#5
  • Mar 6, 2010
  • #5
have you tried taking the gauge out of the car & connecting it straight to the battery to see if it matches your handheld meter? I'm thinking it's possible that the connection to the radio ground is not very good.
 

91StangGT5.0

Member
Oct 21, 2009
162
0
17
Mar 6, 2010
#6
  • Mar 6, 2010
  • #6
beyondspexj said:
voltage drop is usual with the amount of load you put on the alt. do you have the stock alternator or a 3g?
Click to expand...

It's not an issue of me not knowing what acessories do to the alt, but rather an inaccurate voltmeter gauge reading......
 

91StangGT5.0

Member
Oct 21, 2009
162
0
17
Mar 6, 2010
#7
  • Mar 6, 2010
  • #7
393strokervert said:
have you tried taking the gauge out of the car & connecting it straight to the battery to see if it matches your handheld meter? I'm thinking it's possible that the connection to the radio ground is not very good.
Click to expand...

No I haven't yet. I will in a bit though and let you know how it goes. I figure it would read the right voltage.
 
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