Volt Gauge Reading

[Davismj711]

Hi All.

I have recently replaced a DieHard Platinum battery after only 3 months of use. Went out the other day and it was dead, put a 2amp charge on it for 24 hrs and still dead.

I took it to Sears for a replacement. Since it has a full replacement 4 year warranty I did not think their would even be a question. Well the desk boy says we will have to check it, then comes out and says " Yes, the battery is shot".

Then ads, Did you install this yourself ? I said yes, and he said that they would really like to check the charging system next time. I felt like slapping him silly at the time. I am not going to have a car towed for them to check the system.
He also said if it happened again they would require the car be there period, or no replacement. Think I would fight that one pretty hard.

My question is this, I am running a volt gauge in place of the boost gauge, it seems to run at 14 or 13.5 the whole time the car is running. Could I possibly be overcharging ?? Or is the gauge inaccurate enough for this not to be a good measuring device ?

Any help or thoughts are appreciated ^^

 

[hvyman]

use a volt meter and check the charging system. if it is good then u got something else draining it maybe a light left on.

 

[92nsx]

Get your self a digital multimeter and check it your self at the battery with the car running. This is the best way to check. Guessing because the needle is around the 14 or 13.5 mark is not a good way to check.

 

[Davismj711]

Thanks, I have the multimeter. will do an at battery check w/car running. My original post was not as specific as I needed to be.

Better question. Do those that have a volt gauge installed get about the same readings ?

No lights on, no drain. Has not happened again in about a month. I will do the manual check, as my only real concern is an overcharge, not a draw.

 

[dumbo]

Thanks, I have the multimeter. will do an at battery check w/car running. My original post was not as specific as I needed to be.

Better question. Do those that have a volt gauge installed get about the same readings ?

No lights on, no drain. Has not happened again in about a month. I will do the manual check, as my only real concern is an overcharge, not a draw.

if your alternator was over charging your batter would get hot(dont smoke around it then lol) you also need a amp clamp to properly check it

my gauge reads around the same. the voltmeter gauge is reading alternator output voltage not battery.

maybe you just got a bad battery..it happens.

 

[GrimJack]

Or drive your car into one of the many places that will check your charging system for free. Or take it into the battery shop after you have it installed and let them take a look at it, then it will be on record that they checked your work.

 

[Davismj711]

Good idea there Jack.

I will stop in at that Sears store and let them verify all is well/ or not ^^

Thanks

 

[ForcedTorque]

13.5-14 volts IS a normal reading!

 

[Nick M]

Thanks, I have the multimeter. will do an at battery check w/car running. My original post was not as specific as I needed to be.

Better question. Do those that have a volt gauge installed get about the same readings ?

No lights on, no drain. Has not happened again in about a month. I will do the manual check, as my only real concern is an overcharge, not a draw.

If they find a draw, you won't get that warranty. A battery is perishable.