volts???

Joined: 30 Oct 2003 Location: South Cast NSW

when 4byin wot volts do u all get a t nigth with lights etc on?
when 4byin i run around 10 - 11 volts with the spotties on and the highbeams...12 volts with just low beam..... should it be higher than 10 - 11 volts while 4byin ?

alos where do u wire a volts guage to...any power wire in the loom? or direct to battery?

Joined: 16 Jan 2004 Location: WA

Yes.. you should have more than 10 volts....

Sounds like your alternator is not putting out enough amps to keep up with the load. (lights etc)

You will get a voltage drop when you switch all the gear on, but anything below 12 and you are drawing amps from your battery whilst driving, when ideally you want to be drawing all current from your alternator...

It shouldnt matter where you put your volt meter. All the 12 V points are connected electrically. (you should however have it switched through your ignition... gauges only use bugger all power to run, but why run it when you dont have to?)

You will lose some small amont of voltage the further you get away from the battery, but nothing too substantial if you have no wiring probs...

Joined: 03 Nov 2003 Location: Brisbane Southside

I had on the nissan 4 spotties at one stage and the alternator couldn't charge it, bear in mind I hadn't put relays in it ran about 9v. I did the same setup with relays and I was getting just over 13v. With no spotties, but upgraded wiring loom and high powered headlights as long as the engine is running I recorded 14.2 but then the MM might be a touch dodgy now Very Happy