68 camaro voltage problem
1st Gear Member
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 126
From: Kewsick, Ontario
The Battery probably could use a bit of an initial charge. Especially if it was sitting on the vendors shelf for a while.
When you turn the key on, you are effectively supplying power to the coil, ignition module (if that is what you are using) as well as all the accessories.
Assuming all the accessories are off, then power draw must be through coil and ignition circuit. Many coils will draw a bit of current and will lower the voltage of the battery slightly.
Now as far as pulling cables off and checking voltage...well...I think they were blowing smoke. They miss informed you.
You can measure the CURRENT draw by pulling the cable off the positive end of the battery and use an AMP meter between the cable and the battery terminal..
Your voltmeter probably has a setting for this...but I don't recommend it unless you really know what you are doing. For one thing you can damage the Voltmeter..as you have no idea how much current is being drawn. Secondly it is dangerous..because an AMP meter is effectively a short (i.e. piece of wire)....but I think this is pointless....as I guarantee that you will see current draw..there should be...your coil will be drawing it. It tells you very little that you didn't already know.
The important questions to be asking:
1. Is the battery charged?
2. Does it have enough reserve power to crank the starter/engine over?
3. Is the charging system replenishing the used power from the battery...i.e. is it effectively charging the battery under normal use?
4. Are any of the fuses being "blown"?
5. Are there any signs of electrical wires "overheating" ...wires are not meant to get hot by the electricty flowing through them. If they are, there is a problem somewhere.
As far as pulling fuses. Fuses are designed to protect both the source of power (the battery) and the load itself. If you are blowing fuses..you have a load or circuit drawing more current than it was supposed to. ..that circuit needs to be investigated. If fuses aren't being blow, then don't worry about that circuit...(I am assuming you have the corerct rating of fuses for each circuit).
In theory, a properly functioning voltage regulator and the alternator will not lower the voltage below it's target of 12.5 to 13.5 volts. Again, in theory they will not draw power when working properly. In fact, when connected and running, they will actually increase the voltage slightly at the battery terminal as a byproduct of the charging process.
Not sure if this has helped.
Email me directly at vicbrinact@yahoo.com if you need further clarification.
When you turn the key on, you are effectively supplying power to the coil, ignition module (if that is what you are using) as well as all the accessories.
Assuming all the accessories are off, then power draw must be through coil and ignition circuit. Many coils will draw a bit of current and will lower the voltage of the battery slightly.
Now as far as pulling cables off and checking voltage...well...I think they were blowing smoke. They miss informed you.
You can measure the CURRENT draw by pulling the cable off the positive end of the battery and use an AMP meter between the cable and the battery terminal..
Your voltmeter probably has a setting for this...but I don't recommend it unless you really know what you are doing. For one thing you can damage the Voltmeter..as you have no idea how much current is being drawn. Secondly it is dangerous..because an AMP meter is effectively a short (i.e. piece of wire)....but I think this is pointless....as I guarantee that you will see current draw..there should be...your coil will be drawing it. It tells you very little that you didn't already know.
The important questions to be asking:
1. Is the battery charged?
2. Does it have enough reserve power to crank the starter/engine over?
3. Is the charging system replenishing the used power from the battery...i.e. is it effectively charging the battery under normal use?
4. Are any of the fuses being "blown"?
5. Are there any signs of electrical wires "overheating" ...wires are not meant to get hot by the electricty flowing through them. If they are, there is a problem somewhere.
As far as pulling fuses. Fuses are designed to protect both the source of power (the battery) and the load itself. If you are blowing fuses..you have a load or circuit drawing more current than it was supposed to. ..that circuit needs to be investigated. If fuses aren't being blow, then don't worry about that circuit...(I am assuming you have the corerct rating of fuses for each circuit).
In theory, a properly functioning voltage regulator and the alternator will not lower the voltage below it's target of 12.5 to 13.5 volts. Again, in theory they will not draw power when working properly. In fact, when connected and running, they will actually increase the voltage slightly at the battery terminal as a byproduct of the charging process.
Not sure if this has helped.
Email me directly at vicbrinact@yahoo.com if you need further clarification.
Last edited by cadmanof50s; Nov 9, 2010 at 11:47 AM.
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