Forum Discussion

2003silverado's avatar
2003silverado
Explorer II
Mar 10, 2015

charging system voltage.

My truck is a 2012 Silverado 2500hd 6.0 liter gas with 40,000 miles that I've owned since new. A couple months ago I notice that the voltage gauge was running quite a bit above the 14 volt point in the middle of the gauge. Since then it has been between that point and just a hair above the 14 volt center point. When I got home today I noticed it was at the high spot again so I left it running and fetched my volt meter and 15.12 volts at the battery.

Is that too high? Seems like I've always known charging systems to run around 14 volts. But it also seems like as computerized as these newer vehicles are I would get a message on the dash of too high of voltage. Wondering if I have a faulty voltage regulator.
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  • carringb's avatar
    carringb
    Explorer
    Mar 10, 2015
    It wouldn't hurt to start with the basics: Clean the battery terminals

    If the terminals have extra resistance due to corrosion, the voltage regular (which is probably internal to the PCM, but with an extra sensing wire from the battery) can see low voltage and attempt to apply full power to charge the battery back up, but since it's not actually discharged, voltage can peak above the target charge voltage.
  • BenK's avatar
    BenK
    Explorer
    Mar 10, 2015
    Hey Turtle...being older than you...excuse is old grey matter... :B
  • Turtle_n_Peeps's avatar
    Turtle_n_Peeps
    Explorer
    Mar 10, 2015
    I was always taught in school 14.2 was the magic number for a 12v system.

    I agree with Ben. Have it checked out.
  • BenK's avatar
    BenK
    Explorer
    Mar 10, 2015
    All rechargeable battery's needs a voltage *ABOVE* their working or storage voltage

    Otherwise they won't charge

    The rate of charge is factored by both the voltage and amperes (inter-related)
    and the higher the voltage, the faster...but can be too fast as the chemical
    change from crystal will cause the chemicals to overheat and out-gas

    Out-gassing is a VERY bad thing for any battery

    There is a voltage regulator somewhere in your alternator circuit that maintains
    the optimal voltage...normally 14.6 VDC

    Have your mechanic check it out

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