Posted: 9/24/2004 4:19:46 AM EDT
| How many volts should an automotive battery put out on it's own, without the vehicle running? |
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Most of the time it is higher, 14 to 14.5 volts. 13 is OK. 12 is low. Shut off your engine, turn on your headlights for about 30 seconds, turn off, measure the battery. If it has a good charge, it should remain over 12 volts. Sears will check it for free. If you need a battery, buy an Optima (Sams, Costco, PepBoys) |
| It wouldn't start this morning. I put the voltmeter to it and it read 10v. I can;t think of any reason that the battery would be flat this morning (nothing left on over night). It looks like my alternator may be bad. I'll recharge the battery and then check the output of the alternator. |
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Pull one cable off the battery (I recommend the black (-) side). Put a voltmeter between the connection on the cable you just removed, and the terminal that it was just connected to. With your keys out of the ignition, and everything 'supposidly' turned off, if you read any voltage at all, you have a small current leak somewhere inside the car. If you dont have a voltmeter ($10 from any autoparts store?), then two wires connected to these two points, and touch the 'open' ends of both wires to your tounge. You will taste a tangy-sour. That's the taste of electricity. -I can hear it now... a bunch of wussy's telling me "Oh, that's just dangerous!"... |
Nope, it wont hurt a bit either. if you want to astound your buddies put a hand on either terminal of a battery. Don't try this with AC current, it can have down right harmful results. Also a automotive battery will not short circuit under water (fresh water anyway). If you are worried about your battery the best way to test it would be to run a one amp AC current across the terminals (negative to positive) and measure resistance, but it is not likely that you have equipment to do so safely. |
How old is your battery? I usually replace mine every 4 years if they haven't gone bad by then. Just so one day I'm not in a position of it won't start in the morning. Cells go bad in batteries. It'll make it not hold a charge. With your car running check the voltage. |
Butttttt... If he has a clock, or any radio with channel memory, it will show voltage. You need to check the current draw. |
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-Yea... what I did one time, was put a wire (actually, it was a coat hanger), inside a spark plug boot, then told me friend to (hold this so that the "this black cable looking thing", doesnt touch any part of the engine... while I try to start it.... HehehHEheHHEhHehehe - oh, and I always loved the, put your ear near the radiator while I operate the ' ____ ' from inside the car, and see if you hear any bubbling sounds... ( HONK! ) //I do love a good prank. |