What's your volt meter reading when cruising around town? Options

[raynekat]

Just curious what the typical volt meter reading is:

1) when you're sitting at the stoplight

2) cruising down the boulevard at 3-4000 rpm

Trying to see if I'm seeing typical or low readings
Thanks

I just recently noted a low charging issue that I believe came down to an alternator/voltage regulator mismatch.
I was using a Bosch VR with my Motorola alternator.
Now I've switched to a Marchal VR and the charging voltages look better.
About 13.75 volts while cruising.

[raynekat]

Lots of great info there Superhawk.

I have one of those new fangled Lithium batteries from Anti-Gravity.



They are pretty high tech and super light weight, but are not designed for cars with large loads.
I don't believe an early 914 utilizing mostly LED lighting (headlights, turn signals, brake lights), no AC, no heated seats would draw that much current.

But maybe with all the lights on and the wipers going, I'm starting to get a pretty good load on the battery?
What are your thoughts on that?

With the key off the battery shows about 13.2 volts.

I was thinking about testing the battery's load capability with one of these load testers.



It's entirely possible that this battery will not work for me unfortunately and I'll have to go with a more "conventional" style battery.....

[porschetub]

It's entirely possible that this battery will not work for me unfortunately and I'll have to go with a more "conventional" style battery.....
[/quote]

Could well be your problem,I have a similar issue even with rebuilt altenator,reconditioned relay board ,new engine loom and NOS Bosch VR,have AGM compact battery,someone who knows more than I do told me they don't play well with older charging systems?,I connect my spare wet cell battery and always appear to have less issues.
Its kinda like the system isn't reading the battery fully ,it will take load when forced to i.e. all high load items on but seems to have a mind of its own under normal conditions.
Having said the above this battery has never gone flat and left me stranded so some charging must be holding it up.
My VDO gauge isn't that accurate and reads lower than the battery but its still a reasonable indicator.