Voltage gauge

[Raptordude]

Hey guys, little question for you. While driving today, for some reason I decided to really study the movements of the voltage gauge, not for any particular reason. Anyway, what I noticed is, normally the needle is a little over 14 volts. As far as I've noticed, it's been there since I've owned the truck. However, today it dropped a little bit to hover exactly over 14, and when I went down a hill, just for a second it dropped to a little below 14. It never went over or under the "normal" range, but I have never noticed it move at all before. Is this normal? Any Time it dropped or rose, nothing changed. I wasn't hauling a trailer or using the AC or anything. Maybe I am just freaking myself out. It's a 2001 Silverado 2500HD with the gas 6.0 110,000 miles. I just replaced the battery 3 weeks ago.

 

 

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[jake111]

Sounds totally normal to me! The voltage level should hover around 14v. My comfortable range is 13.5v to 14.5v when the engine is running. The voltage level will mostly vary depending on how charged the battery is, other electrical loads, and ambient temperature (higher voltage when it's cold; lower when it's hot). Oh, and sometimes the voltage will drop at idle, especially with extra loads (like headlights), but still should be over 13.5v, and probably closer to 14v.

 

Some small engines (like my 4-cyl. Corolla) will speed up the idle when the headlights are on to compensate. My Duramax doesn't have to .

[Raptordude]

Haha sounds good. It was our first real hot day here in PA so that probably explains why it was a little lower than usual. I bought the truck in November so I didn't have a chance to see this happen before

 

 

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