Charging Issue.... Need Input...

[SRT Handz]

So i was doing a photoshoot today and had my fogs and parking lights on for a while.... when so start it and it wouldnt start. I had to give it a push start.

I thought i just drained the battery (Optima Red Top) but after i got it started it wouldnt charge higher than 13 volts (with Headlights ON). Everytime i stopped at a light it would drop down to about 12.5 volts.

Once i got on the freeway and drove for like 40mins or so it peaked at a Max voltage of 13.4-13.5.... But then once i stopped it dropped to about 12.8 again.

I let the car sit for about 1 hour and started it up again and the car was pushing out 13.8 volts with no accessories on.

So my question for you guys is did i Drain the Battery or is there an alternator charging problem? The optima is only 35,000 miles old.

I would appreciate the Input guys.... Did i just drain the battery or do i have another issue?

 

[2slo95fiveoh]

Re: Charging Issue.... Ned Input...

sounds like you drained the battery. do you have a higher amp. alternator in the car? i would pull the battery and
recharge it and go from there. :dunno:

 

[uncltrvlnmatt]

Re: Charging Issue.... Ned Input...

You just drained the battery.

 

[SRT Handz]

Re: Charging Issue.... Ned Input...

You just drained the battery.

i have a red top.... I didnt think the red top would deep cycle that easy.

This morning i was driving and at running temp i was only producing 13.5 volts. This leads me to believe that 1/3rd of my alternator is dead and my alternator is dyeing slowly

 

[Mustangman9812]

Re: Charging Issue.... Ned Input...

Weak Alternator, mine did the same. It still worked but not much

 

[jfor441]

Re: Charging Issue.... Ned Input...

Go to a car parts store, take it off and have them test it.

 

[TxCobrA98]

Re: Charging Issue.... Ned Input...

i need to look into this as well.

i think my car is only producing about 13.5volts too.

 

[SRT Handz]

Re: Charging Issue.... Ned Input...

can anyone with a voltmeter tell me what they are charging on when the car is running at temp?

 

[Mustangman9812]

Re: Charging Issue.... Ned Input...

14.758 here.

Edit: As long Aas you get in the 14.5 and Up range you are fine. Any lower and thats bad

 

[uncltrvlnmatt]

Re: Charging Issue.... Ned Input...

You just drained the battery.

i have a red top.... I didnt think the red top would deep cycle that easy.

This morning i was driving and at running temp i was only producing 13.5 volts. This leads me to believe that 1/3rd of my alternator is dead and my alternator is dyeing slowly

Alternators either work or they don't. No such thing as 1/3 dead. 13.5-14.5 is good. Anything over 14.5 will overcharge the battery. If it below 13.5 get a new one. Make sure you have 13.5+ with all the accessories on, lights, A/C, fan on high.

 

[SRT Handz]

yes, alternators slowly die.

I believe mine has been slowly dying for a while now.... my all my accessories on it drops below 13.5... better get a new one.

 

[uncltrvlnmatt]

yes, alternators slowly die.

I believe mine has been slowly dying for a while now.... my all my accessories on it drops below 13.5... better get a new one.

If it drops below 13.5 with accessories on get a new one.