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Sat 10 Jun, 2017 11:00 pm
New battery & alternator installed today in my 2012 Honda CR-V. However, when I put my multimeter across the battery terminals at idle I'm seeing voltage at 12.0-12.1. Strangely, when I put it under load, with lights on, a/c on, etc., voltage shows 14.2-14.3. I think that means alternator is working as it should, but what's up with 12.0 at idle with no load? I'm confused.
@seac,
Yup. Fully charged automotive batteries should measure at around 12.4 volts or above. When the engine is running, this measurement should be 13.7 to 14.7 volts.
So maybe I'm concerned for no reason, but with the car off, I'm reading 12.26 v. When we start the car, it jumps up to 13.0-13.1 but immediately starts dropping until it sits at about 12.0-12.1v, with the Car idling. Isn't that too low?it only starts reading 13.4-13.6v if I turn on the headlights or wipers or a/c.
Shouldn't it read higher than 12.1v with the car idling?
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