Voltage dropping even while accelerating, alt gone?
09-05-2005
#1
Thread Starter
iTrader: (8)
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: dfw, tx
Age: 38
Posts: 1,803
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Rep Power: 292 
Voltage dropping even while accelerating, alt gone?
i've had a system for about a year now and just recently i've started having some voltage issues. whenever im accelerating my volts drop to about 11.2-11.4 and if its at night my gauges dim, even if my system isnt on. the only time it comes back up is if i let off the gas and keep it in gear then the volts will jump back up to 12.6 or so. if i turn the a/c on the volts will come back up also. i have a ground wire kit, and all the wires look like they are hooked up properly if that means anything. could my alternator be gone? or do i have a loose wire somewhere? i'm still running on a stock battery btw.
my system specs:
460w rms kenwood amp
2 (12") infinity kappa perfect
my system specs:
460w rms kenwood amp
2 (12") infinity kappa perfect
Last edited by vietstylez; 09-05-2005 at 05:20 PM.
09-05-2005
#2
Last time I had this much fun some furniture got broken!
Hey! Look At Me!! I'm a Supporting Member!!
iTrader: (1)
when you are just pulling out from a dead stop the 7th gen civic acts a little funny. for the first few mph (0-3 maybe) the car drops low. and I mean sub 12 volt. lowest ive seen is 11.8. Also sometimes while coasting at a very low rpm if i gently touch the gas it will do the same.
I have an auto FYI.
I have the same problem but not as low. Let your car idle for a few minutes, and drive around with nothing playing for a day to try to get the battery charged fully. get your battery checked/charged if possible. It may just be a low battery. Try that.
So you know ive been in a 6th gen that dipped to 11.4 every day all the time while slowing down/pulling out and it was 100% ok. So hondas voltage regulators are retarted. thats may just be all.
I have an auto FYI.
I have the same problem but not as low. Let your car idle for a few minutes, and drive around with nothing playing for a day to try to get the battery charged fully. get your battery checked/charged if possible. It may just be a low battery. Try that.
So you know ive been in a 6th gen that dipped to 11.4 every day all the time while slowing down/pulling out and it was 100% ok. So hondas voltage regulators are retarted. thats may just be all.
09-05-2005
#3
Thread Starter
iTrader: (8)
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: dfw, tx
Age: 38
Posts: 1,803
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Rep Power: 292 hmm okay i will try the battery charging thing, but i really wish it wouldnt dip down to 11.4 cause its really annoying at night when all my dash lights dim to like half-strength until i let off the gas. it also sucks cause sometimes if i shut the car off right away it wont start again.
09-05-2005
#4
Premium Member
Hey! Look At Me!! I'm a Supporting Member!!
iTrader: (95)
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: NV
Age: 43
Posts: 51,241
Likes: 0
Received 18 Likes
on
13 Posts
Rep Power: 787 
the voltage always goes up and down. When the alternator goes, you will know it. There's a battery light that comes on and you don't get any charge. The only thing that could have happened is the battery is weakening. If you have a stock battery and you drain/charge alot (by having a big system), it will never get back to full capacity. You need a deep cycle optima.
09-05-2005
#5
Last time I had this much fun some furniture got broken!
Hey! Look At Me!! I'm a Supporting Member!!
iTrader: (1)
yeah that sounds like a weak battery. it also looks like you have HIDs. this may be causing the voltage to drop alot during driving if you have them on. the car at times is using alot of that 70 amps the alt is putting out. and with HIDs on, its going to strain to keep it all up and running. Im assuming this is why you are having that. You can always stop at a dealership and ask them to look at it. that may be the best idea. just tell them about the HIDs though so they have a heads up.
anyone else think of something?!
anyone else think of something?!
09-05-2005
#6
Thread Starter
iTrader: (8)
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: dfw, tx
Age: 38
Posts: 1,803
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Rep Power: 292 yes i do have hid's, and the problem did start occuring a little after i installed them. a weak battery is just waht i wanted to hear.. i've been looking forward to upgrading to a yellow top, thanks guys
btw: i knew the alternator wasnt gone, i meant is it dieing** sorry
btw: i knew the alternator wasnt gone, i meant is it dieing** sorry
Last edited by vietstylez; 09-05-2005 at 05:40 PM.
09-05-2005
#7
Premium Member
Hey! Look At Me!! I'm a Supporting Member!!
iTrader: (95)
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: NV
Age: 43
Posts: 51,241
Likes: 0
Received 18 Likes
on
13 Posts
Rep Power: 787 um no. hid is 35w, halogen is 55w. The only time it sucks alot of juice is for the first *second* that they're turned on. Just get the yellow top. I've run my stereo alot with battery power and its always gone back up to normal.
09-05-2005
#9
Thread Starter
iTrader: (8)
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: dfw, tx
Age: 38
Posts: 1,803
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Rep Power: 292 yeah, the warm-up period for the hid's is what takes the most wattage.. then it only consumes 35w. wheres the cheapest place to get a yellow top, and i heard its better to get a normal size then to get a 51r, true?
09-05-2005
#10
Premium Member
Hey! Look At Me!! I'm a Supporting Member!!
iTrader: (95)
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: NV
Age: 43
Posts: 51,241
Likes: 0
Received 18 Likes
on
13 Posts
Rep Power: 787 get the group 51. perfect fit and it still outperforms stock. Should be fine. I got mine for $120 local at farm and fleet.
09-06-2005
#11
Thread Starter
iTrader: (8)
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: dfw, tx
Age: 38
Posts: 1,803
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Rep Power: 292 i went out an bought the yellow top in d34/78 size cause someone on the forum suggested the bigger battery. had to custom fit it in hahahah it was 159.99 but its awesome now... but some times very RARELY it still drops to 11.6, but i think thats just normal. thanks gearbox/diskreet if i had green rep i would rep yall =(
09-06-2005
#15
Last time I had this much fun some furniture got broken!
Hey! Look At Me!! I'm a Supporting Member!!
iTrader: (1)
lol i know i reply fast, i have instant email notification on and i got the email as i walked in my room from being out. so by luck it was that fast.
that and im addicted to this site now.
that and im addicted to this site now.
09-06-2005
#16
Registered!!
iTrader: (2)
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Mississauga, Ontario, Canada
Posts: 1,279
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Rep Power: 271 okay okay, why is this whole topic looking fu cked up.. if you are driving you should be up to atleast 14.4v. either you guys are on crack or ur cars are. With the car off, the battery runs at 12.6-8 full charge. So please tell me why you are running 12-11 while driving and no system bumping...
09-06-2005
#17
Thread Starter
iTrader: (8)
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: dfw, tx
Age: 38
Posts: 1,803
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Rep Power: 292 i've never seen 14 in my car. ever since i got a volt meter that is (escort passport x50 radar)
with the new optima i am still hitting 11.4-13.1, i'm not sure if this is normal
with the new optima i am still hitting 11.4-13.1, i'm not sure if this is normal
Last edited by vietstylez; 09-06-2005 at 11:06 PM.
09-06-2005
#18
Registered!!
iTrader: (2)
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Mississauga, Ontario, Canada
Posts: 1,279
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Rep Power: 271 dude, an alt runs at 14v, if you are running at 12s then its already dead, you are just running ur **** off a bat and thats why after a little time ur other battery(stock) wasnt able to push no more juice, how it laster you soo long is a mystery. that or your volt meter is trying to screw you. its also possible that your alt belt might be slipping causing it to only charge soo much and when you turn on a/c it will cause it to tighten a tad. Running at a higher speed as u were saying/accelerating would maybe cause it to slip causing the voltage drop since ur battery doesnt have a full charge. Get your belts checked and your alt, i think autozone in the states does it for free or something.. someone pls say im not the one on crack here.
09-06-2005
#19
Premium Member
Hey! Look At Me!! I'm a Supporting Member!!
iTrader: (95)
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: NV
Age: 43
Posts: 51,241
Likes: 0
Received 18 Likes
on
13 Posts
Rep Power: 787 alternator turns on and off as the ELD sees fit. When there is not much power needed, it shuts off to conserve lifespan. Keep in mind that the eld does NOT see any stereo equipment becuase of the way these things are wired. 11-12v while driving is very normal.
09-07-2005
#23
Last time I had this much fun some furniture got broken!
Hey! Look At Me!! I'm a Supporting Member!!
iTrader: (1)
Originally Posted by vietstylez
i've never seen 14 in my car. ever since i got a volt meter that is (escort passport x50 radar)
with the new optima i am still hitting 11.4-13.1, i'm not sure if this is normal
with the new optima i am still hitting 11.4-13.1, i'm not sure if this is normal
09-07-2005
#27
Last time I had this much fun some furniture got broken!
Hey! Look At Me!! I'm a Supporting Member!!
iTrader: (1)
i doubt its that i honestly think your car is ok, but there is that chance its not which scares me. i have no idea how much it is. i just read alot about someone else here having theirs go one them. dont remember the cost or who. if it was bad, though, you may notice your car not running well.
09-07-2005
#28
Thread Starter
iTrader: (8)
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: dfw, tx
Age: 38
Posts: 1,803
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Rep Power: 292 well i KNOW something is still wrong with it... cause at night sometimes my gauges still dim, even with no system on. i havent seen 14v at all, not even high 13's. i guess i have to stop by honda tomorrow..
i spent 170 bucks on this battery i want to use it to its full potential
i spent 170 bucks on this battery i want to use it to its full potential
09-07-2005
#30
Premium Member
Hey! Look At Me!! I'm a Supporting Member!!
iTrader: (95)
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: NV
Age: 43
Posts: 51,241
Likes: 0
Received 18 Likes
on
13 Posts
Rep Power: 787 alternators are weak on our cars. Yea my gauges dim too whats the big deal? When the weather gets colder, you'll see it put out more voltage.
