I'm New here so here we go!
2005 Pathfinder LE... My voltage keeps fluctuating, sometimes its running at 13.9 And there are times i see go down to 12.9. I have a new altinator, new Optima red top, and new 3 farad cap. I've checked all my grounds, power lines etc... Any ideas??? Im stuck on stupid with this one.
Thanx...
List of mods:
K&N intake,AFE TBS, Gibson catback,Bully Dog GT tuner, EBC green brake pads, powerstop rotors, 20'' MB sienna wheels, 265/50/20 falken zeix, ccfl halo headlights, All bulbs HID/LED, full alpine audio, soundstream amps...
Voltage Problems. Please Help
Moderator: volvite
That is really low. On my 05, I measured the other day:
Immediately after startup, it measured 14.6v.
After 10-15 minutes of idling, it dropped to 14.4v.
What kind of alternator did you replace your original with? Sounds regulator related... I'd be concerned that if your voltage is that low, the amperage output is down too. Did you run your test with accessories on or off? Headlights? Do you have anything crazy hooked up, amps, etc?
Immediately after startup, it measured 14.6v.
After 10-15 minutes of idling, it dropped to 14.4v.
What kind of alternator did you replace your original with? Sounds regulator related... I'd be concerned that if your voltage is that low, the amperage output is down too. Did you run your test with accessories on or off? Headlights? Do you have anything crazy hooked up, amps, etc?
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doctahjones
- Posts: 844
- Joined: Tue Nov 16, 2010 11:08 am
- Location: aurora, co
mine does the same. never thought it was a problem.
what i was told was that your car really only runs off your battery. however you have an alternator that has a module (voltage regulator?) that flips on and off to continuously charge your battery. so, i had attributed that fluctuation to that module turning on and off.
additionally mine stays between that range (13.9-12.9) for all driving, even with headlights on.
now if i turn my 250/1 jl amp (no cap yet, saw one at frys for $50 though) on and crank it up the voltage will sometimes dip to 12.4.
this is also all on a duralast gold battery that's ~2 weeks old.
what i was told was that your car really only runs off your battery. however you have an alternator that has a module (voltage regulator?) that flips on and off to continuously charge your battery. so, i had attributed that fluctuation to that module turning on and off.
additionally mine stays between that range (13.9-12.9) for all driving, even with headlights on.
now if i turn my 250/1 jl amp (no cap yet, saw one at frys for $50 though) on and crank it up the voltage will sometimes dip to 12.4.
this is also all on a duralast gold battery that's ~2 weeks old.
Doc,
What battery are you running?
The OP mentioned he was running an Optima Red Top. The minimum charge is 13.3v. Per their website:
What battery are you running?
The OP mentioned he was running an Optima Red Top. The minimum charge is 13.3v. Per their website:
http://www.optimabatteries.com/us/en/su ... /charging/
OPTIMA® REDTOP® Charging Information
The following charging methods are recommended to ensure a long battery life. Always use a voltage-regulated charger, with voltage limits set as described below.
REDTOP® Type: 34 & 34R - 34/78 - 78 - 25 & 35 - 75/25
These batteries are designed for engine starting applications. They are NOT recommended or warranted for use in deep-cycle applications.
Recommended charging information:
Alternator:
•13.3 to 15.0 volts, no amperage limit.
Battery Charger:
•13.8 to 15.0 volts, 10 amps maximum, approximately for 6-12 hours.
Rapid Recharge:
•Maximum voltage 15.6 volts (regulated), no current limit as long as battery temperature remains below 125°F (51.7°C). Charge until current drops below 1 amp.
Float Charge:
•13.2 to 13.8 volts, 1 amp maximum current, time indefinite (at lower voltage).
Strictly adhere to all limits.
Safety Information:
•Always wear safety glasses when working with batteries.
•Always use a voltage-regulated battery charger with limits set to the above ratings. Overcharging can cause the safety valves to open and battery gasses to escape, resulting in premature failure. These gasses are flammable! You cannot replace water in sealed batteries that have been overcharged. Any battery that becomes very hot or makes a hissing sound while recharging should be disconnected immediately.
•Failure to fully charge a battery can result in poor performance and a reduction in capacity.
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doctahjones
- Posts: 844
- Joined: Tue Nov 16, 2010 11:08 am
- Location: aurora, co
disallow wrote:Doc,
What battery are you running?
"this is also all on a duralast gold battery that's ~2 weeks old."?
http://www.autozone.com/autozone/parts/ ... _175955_0_
Sorry, missed that... 
I still think anything under 13v is too low. RacerZX had a similar question a few weeks ago.
http://www.thenissanpath.com/viewtopic.php?t=8013
We are running into this issue at my work here as well. One of our customers has been sold on an AGM battery (same tech as the Optima). Our alternator supplier has indicated they do not recommend using their alternator with an AGM battery, as the alternator does not meet the minumum charging requirement of the the AGM battery. Therefore, if you are constantly 'undercharging' the battery, it won't have the extended CCA and reserve capacity advertised, and therefore negating the benefit of having an AGM battery in the first place.
The Duralast is a standard FLA (flooded lead acid) battery, and can accept a lower float charge and still meet spec.
But honestly, I don't think I've ever owned a vehicle that charged at less than 13.8v.
I still think anything under 13v is too low. RacerZX had a similar question a few weeks ago.
http://www.thenissanpath.com/viewtopic.php?t=8013
We are running into this issue at my work here as well. One of our customers has been sold on an AGM battery (same tech as the Optima). Our alternator supplier has indicated they do not recommend using their alternator with an AGM battery, as the alternator does not meet the minumum charging requirement of the the AGM battery. Therefore, if you are constantly 'undercharging' the battery, it won't have the extended CCA and reserve capacity advertised, and therefore negating the benefit of having an AGM battery in the first place.
The Duralast is a standard FLA (flooded lead acid) battery, and can accept a lower float charge and still meet spec.
But honestly, I don't think I've ever owned a vehicle that charged at less than 13.8v.
disallow wrote:That is really low. On my 05, I measured the other day:
Immediately after startup, it measured 14.6v.
After 10-15 minutes of idling, it dropped to 14.4v.
What kind of alternator did you replace your original with? Sounds regulator related... I'd be concerned that if your voltage is that low, the amperage output is down too. Did you run your test with accessories on or off? Headlights? Do you have anything crazy hooked up, amps, etc?
I ran the test both on then off. i do have two amps but i also have a 3 farad capacitor. with a factory replacement. Twice.. what do you mean by regulator related???
disallow wrote:Doc,
What battery are you running?
The OP mentioned he was running an Optima Red Top. The minimum charge is 13.3v. Per their website:
http://www.optimabatteries.com/us/en/su ... /charging/
OPTIMA® REDTOP® Charging Information
The following charging methods are recommended to ensure a long battery life. Always use a voltage-regulated charger, with voltage limits set as described below.
REDTOP® Type: 34 & 34R - 34/78 - 78 - 25 & 35 - 75/25
These batteries are designed for engine starting applications. They are NOT recommended or warranted for use in deep-cycle applications.
Recommended charging information:
Alternator:
•13.3 to 15.0 volts, no amperage limit.
Battery Charger:
•13.8 to 15.0 volts, 10 amps maximum, approximately for 6-12 hours.
Rapid Recharge:
•Maximum voltage 15.6 volts (regulated), no current limit as long as battery temperature remains below 125°F (51.7°C). Charge until current drops below 1 amp.
Float Charge:
•13.2 to 13.8 volts, 1 amp maximum current, time indefinite (at lower voltage).
Strictly adhere to all limits.
Safety Information:
•Always wear safety glasses when working with batteries.
•Always use a voltage-regulated battery charger with limits set to the above ratings. Overcharging can cause the safety valves to open and battery gasses to escape, resulting in premature failure. These gasses are flammable! You cannot replace water in sealed batteries that have been overcharged. Any battery that becomes very hot or makes a hissing sound while recharging should be disconnected immediately.
•Failure to fully charge a battery can result in poor performance and a reduction in capacity.
im running an Optima red top.
voltage fluctuation
hello everyone, and thanks for the help so far...
even when the voltage reads on the bullydog gt 12.9, everything act normal. can it be the optima red top battery?even if the battery is new? this morning on the way to work, (about 10 mile drive) the car ran the whole way at about 13.9-14.2v. on my way home, 12.9-13.3v what the hell can it be???
even when the voltage reads on the bullydog gt 12.9, everything act normal. can it be the optima red top battery?even if the battery is new? this morning on the way to work, (about 10 mile drive) the car ran the whole way at about 13.9-14.2v. on my way home, 12.9-13.3v what the hell can it be???
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doctahjones
- Posts: 844
- Joined: Tue Nov 16, 2010 11:08 am
- Location: aurora, co
Re: voltage fluctuation
headlights? heater? ac?nispath05 wrote:hello everyone, and thanks for the help so far...
even when the voltage reads on the bullydog gt 12.9, everything act normal. can it be the optima red top battery?even if the battery is new? this morning on the way to work, (about 10 mile drive) the car ran the whole way at about 13.9-14.2v. on my way home, 12.9-13.3v what the hell can it be???
The Voltage Regulator is an integral part of your alternator, and based on the electrical load on your truck, it regulates the alternator voltage charging the system. As I mentioned previously, I've never seen an alternator (functioning correctly) test below 13.6v (always conduct the test with minimal loads, amps off, radio off, AC off, Headlights off, blowers off). If your test shows a voltage below this, I would suspect the alternator is not charging properly due to a blown voltage regulator.nispath05 wrote:disallow wrote:That is really low. On my 05, I measured the other day:
Immediately after startup, it measured 14.6v.
After 10-15 minutes of idling, it dropped to 14.4v.
What kind of alternator did you replace your original with? Sounds regulator related... I'd be concerned that if your voltage is that low, the amperage output is down too. Did you run your test with accessories on or off? Headlights? Do you have anything crazy hooked up, amps, etc?
I ran the test both on then off. i do have two amps but i also have a 3 farad capacitor. with a factory replacement. Twice.. what do you mean by regulator related???
The action would be to remove the alternator and get it bench tested to verify that its malfunctioning. Any reputable auto-electric shop could do this for you.
voltage problems...
well i took the car to nissan today. they did the bench test and it passed. they ran a load test good they checked the car with 3 different batteries, and good. i mentioned about the voltage regulator and they said the car is running fine. the service tech that checked the car said every test he performed, the car passed with no problems. he did mention to get rid of the optima red top battery... WHAT!!! i said, he said that those batteries suck... Anyway, does anyone know where the voltage regulator is located? or is it build in to the altinator? thanks again everyone.
Re: voltage problems...
nispath05 wrote: he did mention to get rid of the optima red top battery... WHAT!!! i said, he said that those batteries suck...
i agree with him
i just had to replace 2 of them, one 3 yrs old, the other 4 yrs
neither would take a full charge
very disappointing for the $160.00 bucks each that i spent on them
a charging system voltage output test will not be accurate without a known good battery in the system
what did he say the charging system output voltage was with the substitute batteries?
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