Battery Volt Guage reading

[DevilYellowCV8]

Could I have a bit of advice please...

Not something I pay much attention to tbh, but my battery volt guage is reading 14.5 which I don't seem to remember it being that high a few months back. Is it correct or should it be lower? If it is reading higher numbers does it relate to a possible battery or alternator fault?

Thanks

[Roman Knows]

14.5 is a little higher than ideal and could well be down to a problem with the voltage regulator, which on most modern cars is contained within the alternator.
Having said that, i have already found out that Monaro gauges can be tempremental, so best to double check with an external meter. If you haven't got one yourself i'd be happy to check it for you, doesn't take a minute and you're only up the road from me.

[DevilYellowCV8]

Cheers, I thought it was a tad odd. I'll keep an eye on it once I get the car back on the road and if it persists I guess I'll have to force myself to get in it and drive up your way!

Edited by DevilYellowCV8 on Sunday 12th July 22:41

[granada203028]

You should check it, or get it checked, with a DVM across the battery terminals, engine idling. 14.5V is a little on the high side, 14 is more ideal. Not worth paying for any work though, just keep an eye on it. Persistent high voltage will shorten the battery's life and could lead to thermal runaway on an already elderly battery. After a long run check it is not hotter than the surrounding.

[DevilYellowCV8]

The battery is less than a year old but I did have problems with the previous one discharging on a very regular basis. Also have to add the engine is struggling to turn over on start up. I only noticed the reading because I had to take the guages out earlier on today.

My main thought does lead me to alternator problems but don't want to think about the cost of having it replaced just yet!

[Roman Knows]

If the battery is only a year old and struggling to turn the engine over, then you may have started cooking the battery already.
It needs checking sooner rather than later, but at least the check costs nothing.

[stevemj]

There was a thread regardign this: www.hsv.org.uk/topic.asp?t=714567&f=69&h=27