14v battery?

[fiddle]

/forums/images/graemlins/frown.gifMy engine battery is giving 14v on the meter as it sits in my garage. Obviously this must be a bad omen. My limited expertise tells me that standing (as it is) a good 'un would read 12.8 and if it was being charged by the alternator, something like 13.4 (?). so what's gone wrong with this battery, and can it be resurected?

 

[Anonymous]

What are you measuring it with? Are you sure that the calibration is OK?

 

[bob_tyler]

I had a similar problem recently and discovered that when the 9v battery in the meter is low the meter over reads. My batteries had 15+ volts! Same applied to my car battery.

Before doing anything else change the meter battery for a good'un.

I did this and the readings are now normal.

 

[VicMallows]

Agree with Bob. Cheap meters are particularly bad in this respect. When all else seems wrong I get out the old AVO 8 in its lovely leather case.

Vic

 

[oldharry]

More likely the meter you are using, than the battery. As suggested try a new battery. The normal macximum charging voltage should be 14.2v, and anything over 14.4 is suspect as it can not only damage the battery, but more sensitive electronics.

 

[William_H]

Just compare it to the voltage measurement in your car battery and then someone elses it will soon become obvious if mter is over reading then tell us what the result was willl

 

[Birdseye]

[ QUOTE ]
/forums/images/graemlins/frown.gifMy engine battery is giving 14v on the meter as it sits in my garage. Obviously this must be a bad omen. My limited expertise tells me that standing (as it is) a good 'un would read 12.8 and if it was being charged by the alternator, something like 13.4 (?). so what's gone wrong with this battery, and can it be resurected?

[/ QUOTE ]

Once the battery has settled down following charging, and any "overcharge" is lost from the plates, the voltage is dictated by the basic chemistry. So it simply cannot go higher than it should or than it typically did when new. So your meter has to be reading wrong, or you are reading immediately and before the voltage has settled back to normal.

 

[broadcaster]

I would agree, I don't think it is physically possible for a battery to give a steady voltage of 14V when not being charged.

Probably the meter.

 

[brianrunyard]

Forget the battery, check the meter.

 

[fiddle]

ah! change meter battery. All is well. reads 12.7v
As so often in life its the simple, obvious things that make the difference.

Thanks all

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Lifes a dog. And not just at Christmas

 

[steve6367]

If you have a Advanced Alternator Reg. or 3 / 4 stage mains charger part of the charging cycle could be at 14.8 volts for open Lead Acid Batteries. 14.5 for Sealed.