• Got the Contributing Memberships stuff finally worked out and made up a thread as a sort of "How-To" to help people figure out how to participate. So if you need help figuring it out, here's the thread you need to take a look at -> http://www.corvetteflorida.com/forums/showthread.php?t=3581 Thank you, everyone! Rich Z.

Another Battery/Alternator question.

ynkedad

ynkedad

Wassup!!!
I've noticed recently that my battery gauge dips below 12 volts and sometimes even lower, while at a light or parked with the motor running.

Notes: (1)The battery is less than 2 months old.
(2)I've only noticed it happening when the A/C is running and the stereo is turned up a smidge above TOO LOUD:D.
(3)I have an after market stereo in the car which consists of.. an after market head unit, 2 Jbl stealth speakers (behind the seats) and an Amp in the trunk.:dancer01:

So I'm wondering if I'm drawing to much power, and if so, can/should I upgrade the alternator?

TIA.:thumbsup:

~Ray
 
ynkedad said:
I've noticed recently that my battery gauge dips below 12 volts and sometimes even lower, while at a light or parked with the motor running.

Notes: (1)The battery is less than 2 months old.
(2)I've only noticed it happening when the A/C is running and the stereo is turned up a smidge above TOO LOUD:D.
(3)I have an after market stereo in the car which consists of.. an after market head unit, 2 Jbl stealth speakers (behind the seats) and an Amp in the trunk.:dancer01:

So I'm wondering if I'm drawing to much power, and if so, can/should I upgrade the alternator?

TIA.:thumbsup:

~Ray
Click to expand...
I'm thinking that your alternator may be going bad!!:shrug01:
 
Well

ynkedad said:
I've noticed recently that my battery gauge dips below 12 volts and sometimes even lower, while at a light or parked with the motor running.

Notes: (1)The battery is less than 2 months old.
(2)I've only noticed it happening when the A/C is running and the stereo is turned up a smidge above TOO LOUD:D.
(3)I have an after market stereo in the car which consists of.. an after market head unit, 2 Jbl stealth speakers (behind the seats) and an Amp in the trunk.:dancer01:

So I'm wondering if I'm drawing to much power, and if so, can/should I upgrade the alternator?

TIA.:thumbsup:
~Ray
Click to expand...

I would recommend a bigger alternator for sure !! :thumbsup::yesnod:
 
You can try our overdrive alt pulley (billet Alum) and if that does not do it our 240Amp alt for C5 & C6 vettes is $499 & is a direct swap.:thumbsup:
 
When I was having alternator problems, I did a lot of reading and seem to recall reading somewhere that it was not recommended to use a higher output alternator on the Corvette. Something about the PCM detecting an excessive current situation and getting upset about it or something. I believe the argument was that the PCM knew the max current the alternator SHOULD be able to provide, and anything over that amount was considered to be a fault condition.

So was that misinformation, or do I just remember it wrong?
 
i would consider using a capacitor or an audio system battery. whats killing your alternator is the constant power spikes created by the amp when the bass hits hard. a capacitor is wired in between the power source and the amp. all the capacitor is, is a second battery that absorbs the power spike preserving your alternator.
 
Ray, I noticed something similar for first time yesterday. While at light, gauge indicated 13 volts where it normally used to show 14. Don't know if that is a problem or not. 2005 with 23K miles on it, stock radio & battery...???
 
:hmm: Now that's weird. That just may throw another factor into the equasion.. Faulty alternators for that year model.?? My Vette is a 2005, with about 26k + on it.
 
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