AlexM

Hi,

I get around 12.8v with the ignition on and 9.8v when cranking the engine - is this normal? seems a little low to me.

Thanks,

Alex

Bob Rawle

sounds about right, ignition on value could be as low as 12 though dependant on how long its stood and not driven

bob

scoobyslut

Voltage measurements can vary tremendously with battery charge state..

How charged is the battery? what is the electrolyte reading?
Hat eto be a kill joy, but you have to know these items to diagnose any further. Simply going on a quick voltmeter reading across the battery terminals can lead to some wrong answers and subsequent not needed parts being fitted.

AlexM

Thanks Bob / Scoobyslut.

The battery is one of Halford's sealed 'calcium' batteries with an integral charge indicator (a float that appears in a window when the battery charge is 'ok'). Unfortunately not possible to test specific gravity as all cells are fully sealed.

It's only a year old so I don't suspect a fault, but the engine feels slightly lazy on the starter. Possibly getting gradually discharged by lots of short trips, so I'll put in on a trickle charger over the weekend and see if that helps.

Bob - can you advise on the procedure for setting voltage compensation? (currently 20). Do you just pick a value that minimises any idle differences between no electrical load / full electrical load?

Thanks,

Alex