<VV> VDO Gauges-charging system

[FrankCB at aol.com]

Timothy,    
    Using a digital voltmeter (or multimeter) that you  can get for $20 or 
less, wire it up to a cigarette lighter plug-in and put it in  the cigarette 
lighter socket.  This will give you an accurate reading while  you're driving.  
It should be around 14.5 (or even higher) on cold start  and taper off to 
abound 14.0 on steady running, unless you "load up" the system  with a big power 
drain.  In that case it shouldn't drop down below about  13.5 volts.  You can 
check the accuracy of the installed gauge and see if  it becomes erratic.  Don't 
expect even new factory installed gauges to be  accurate - the one that came 
on my new GM Pontiac TransSport consistently reads  nearly a full volt LOW.  
But as long as it's consistent, I can do the  mental correction even with my 
aged brain.<GGGGG>
    Good luck and let us know what you find.
    Frank "gauges are good" Burkhard
 
In a message dated 12/23/2007 9:50:40 PM Eastern Standard Time,  
shortle556 at earthlink.net writes:

my gauge  readings about 90% of the time would read very close to 15 volts 
whether  cruising or idling,lites,fan,stereo on or off. The other 10% of the 
time it  reads about 13 volts. Although I have no indication at my battery 
anything is  wrong (no loss of liquid present, battery feels cool)I have verified 
what I  feel is an overcharging condition using a seperate hand held  voltmeter.


 



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