Charging Problems

Post by **Fpv_83** » Mon Jun 29, 2009 9:55 pm

Ey all

Ive got a problem in my fourby where the battery seems to be overcharging.

Ive got a national luna dual battery monitor and it sometimes beeps with the over voltage alarm which is sopposed to go off at 14.5V. Now with a voltimeter it reads 14.4, 14.5, sometimes flickers at 14.6V and i am wondering if there is something wrong with my battery. I have just had the alternator rebuilt fully and my battery is about 12 months old (not even).

Now this is what i did before it beeped at me, had the alternator rebuilt coz it sh*t itself and then all was fine charging at 14.2V. I drive my car once a week if im lucky and i thought the battery was gettin a bit flat so i chucked it on the wall charger for a couple of hours.

Now in the car when the engine is running it charges at like i said too high so the battery alarm doesnt like it.

Now have i damaged the battery or is it so charged up that the alternator doesnt need to charge it and is gettin too much voltage?

I really need it fixed and reliable coz i got a trip comin up in 2 weeks

Please Share any thoughts.

Cheers
Mark

Post by **SIMMO84** » Mon Jun 29, 2009 10:04 pm

You cant damage a battery by charging it ( with in reason) Id be pointing my finger at the voltage regulator although its a bit high id be happy with that in my rig.

Post by **Fpv_83** » Mon Jun 29, 2009 10:07 pm

so what do u reackon?
Could my battery be overcharged?
the only reason i worry is sometimes my overvoltage alarm beeps at me (its sopposed to above 14.5V)
Cheers
Mark

Post by **SIMMO84** » Mon Jun 29, 2009 10:12 pm

Regulator. but as i said i would be happy if it was mine. 14.6 isnt overly high. What sort of car is it in?

Post by **Fpv_83** » Mon Jun 29, 2009 10:14 pm

its in a Suzuki sierra mate
So dont worry?
Hahaha jst turn off the alarm n dont worry?
Cheers mate, thanks for ur opinion
Mark

Post by **Fpv_83** » Mon Jun 29, 2009 10:15 pm

Oh and on my battery it says max recharge = 14.8V so.....

Post by **SIMMO84** » Mon Jun 29, 2009 10:22 pm

What does a multimeter say when the engine not running?My guess would be about 12.5 volts. If its going over 14.6 volts and its causing problems ( like boiling the battery, you will know when it does) just let it go and keep an eye on the volts.

Post by **Fpv_83** » Mon Jun 29, 2009 10:25 pm

Yeh its about 12.6V
I think ill take her for another spin around the block in day so i dont need the headlights and go from there.
I might Pm you if ive got any probs(if thats ok) tomorrow or later in the week.
Thanks mate
Cheers
Mark

Post by **SIMMO84** » Tue Jun 30, 2009 6:13 pm

Yeah no worries.

Post by **Fpv_83** » Tue Jun 30, 2009 7:25 pm

Yeh mate tested her today and still shot.
Before i started it in the morning it read 12.6V.
Then i started it and reads bout 14.4-14.5 and 'flashes' 14.6 randomly
so when it flashes 14.6 my overvoltage alarm goes off.
i connected it to another battery though a set of jumper leads and it read 14.3 and flashes 14.4 which is exactly wat i want!!!!!!
U think that is coz of voltage drop through the leads coz at the alternator terminal output it reads bout 14.5-.6V

Cheers Mate
Mark

Tue Jun 30, 2009 7:38 pm

i would be checking the wiring again , if your sense wire has a bad connection you can get higher than normal voltage

Post by **SIMMO84** » Tue Jun 30, 2009 7:38 pm

Could be, was the other battery charged or flat? I still believe the regulator is making the alternator charge flat out. When you connect it to another battery that battery is able to draw some of the excess power and drop the volts. Does it have an internal or external regulator? IF it was mine I wouldnt worry too much.

Post by **Fpv_83** » Tue Jun 30, 2009 7:39 pm

my alternator has a built in regulator so any other wires to or from the alternator or battery could be rs?
The battery was larger than my other one, at 400CCA compared to 330CCA but it was still pretty charged say above 12.4V
Thanks
Mark

Post by **bazzle** » Wed Jul 01, 2009 10:07 am

2nd batt you tried prob needed more charge so voltage was lower (more amps going in). Orig batt prob good so less amps and voltage stays at max.
I would not worry about .2 of a volt.
Only worry if batt starts boiling over.

Bazzle

Post by **SIMMO84** » Wed Jul 01, 2009 5:41 pm

bazzle wrote:2nd batt you tried prob needed more charge so voltage was lower (more amps going in). Orig batt prob good so less amps and voltage stays at max.
I would not worry about .2 of a volt.
Only worry if batt starts boiling over.

Bazzle

X2

Post by **Fpv_83** » Wed Jul 01, 2009 7:17 pm

Yep i think u guys are right
Im just gunna leave it how it is.
Is there any way of telling if the battery is shitting itself while ur driving say smoke or alternator light?
Cheers
Mark

Post by **hando** » Wed Jul 01, 2009 11:42 pm

Fpv_83 wrote:Yep i think u guys are right
Im just gunna leave it how it is.
Is there any way of telling if the battery is shitting itself while ur driving say smoke or alternator light?
Cheers
Mark

I'd say smoke would be a fairly good indication...

Sounds to me like the battery is fine and the problem lies with the alarm - simple fix: turn it off, raise the setting on the alarm so it goes off at 14.8V, or snip snip throw.

Post by **Fpv_83** » Thu Jul 02, 2009 9:04 pm

yep i think theres nothing wrong with it.
see ya l8tr alarm and more driving the beast!

Thanks everyone for your opinion and thoughts,
Cheers
Mark

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