Bad battery. Any 12V battery should read AT LEAST 12V at it's lowest. Any reading less than 12.0 is bad. If charging system is working properly, and car is driven long enough (20+ mins) to charge a low battery, the batt voltage will come up to or over 12V. If it doesn't, it's bad. 12.5 to 12.8 is closer to normal foe a healthy battery.
Mike B. ----- Original Message ----- From: "asad ishaque" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: <[email protected]> Sent: Friday, April 18, 2008 10:25 AM Subject: Re: [vintagvw] Starting probs in my 68 bug. > > Guys, > > I did check out the voltages. The initial voltage at the battery > terminals before starting was 11.68 volts which I think is a bit on the > lower side. On starting the voltage does climb up to over 12 volts and > goes around 14 volts on revving. > > This weekend I may go around changing the alternator, saying goodbye to > the 'modified charging system'. That would be sweet! > > Might need help as far as the connections go. Dont think there would > be much to worry as my current non-VW generator has four connections like > the VW alt has. One connector with three terminals and one round clip > which fits onto a stud connector. The VW unit has a three pin connector > plus a stud connector. Guess I just have to figure out where the three > connections should go. > > Would be consulting the tech manuals and doing a bit of detective work > under the rear seat to get clues. > > Just wait for my shout if I get stuck anywhere!! > > Regards, > > Asad > Karachi, Pakistan. > >> Date: Wed, 9 Apr 2008 19:00:28 -0500> From: [EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: >> [email protected]> Subject: Re: [vintagvw] Starting probs in my 68 >> bug.> > Hi, Asad,> > If your voltage regulator is working, the alternator >> should top out > around 14 - 14.5 volts after you reach the RPM that the >> alternator can > actually generate at. If the voltage keeps climbing with >> RPM, something > is wrong, and you will end up boiling the battery dry >> after a few days.> > Chuck Kuecker> > asad ishaque wrote:> > Guys,> > > > >> Here is the progress I have to report. > > > > Got a new battery. Its >> rated at 65 Ampere Hours. Its in the bug and Im having no probs. Have >> taken a drive to work in the dark and the bug performed normally.> > > > >> However, I find that the readings I take from the voltmeter after having >> a drive are still in the range of around 11.90 Volts. I dont think thats >> healthy as some have already pointed out. The readings with the engine on >> and at idle are in the range of 12.50 volts. On! > revving it goes to above 14 volts. Havent revved it really hard but I > think it would go upto 15 volts.> > > > Got the car rechecked by the > battery shop guy. He took some readings with his voltmeter and said all > was well. > > > > Any checks or readings I should take and report here???> > > > > i have to install the VW alternator soon. The new battery has a full > guarantee for the month of April, then it would be part exchange till five > more months. I should be doing all experimentation in this period!!> > > > > Thanks to all.> > > > > > _______________________________________________> > vintagvw site list> [email protected]> > http://lists.sjsu.edu/mailman/listinfo/vintagvw > _________________________________________________________________ > Use video conversation to talk face-to-face with Windows Live Messenger. > http://www.windowslive.com/messenger/connect_your_way.html?ocid=TXT_TAGLM_WL_Refresh_messenger_video_042008 > _______________________________________________ > vintagvw site list > [email protected] > http://lists.sjsu.edu/mailman/listinfo/vintagvw _______________________________________________ vintagvw site list [email protected] http://lists.sjsu.edu/mailman/listinfo/vintagvw
