What voltage when the engine is running

[jimbo]

With the engine running, I'm getting 13.5-13.6v. This is lower than expected, I thought I was after more like 14.4 ish.

The battery is coping at the moment although things felt a bit weak during the winter. Is this a sign that the alternator and/or regulator might be on the way out?

 

[Myke Rocks]

Anything over 13.9 is excessive.
Myke

 

[Fanum]

Anything over 13.9 is excessive.
Myke

The Bosch alternator puts out 14v as standard

Jimbo....check the alt belt first as that's easy

 

[Blackal]

I would expect more than 14.0v, and 14.4v seems reasonable.

[Found a quote]

The most common lead acid battery has six cells, each producing about 2.1 volts, giving the total battery output voltage of about 12.6 volts.
Most vehicle batteries are charged at about 14.3 volts by the alternator.
Charging a lead acid battery at 14.8 volt and above causes it to start gassing (giving off explosive hydrogen) and lose water.

Al

 

[Gordon T]

14.36v @ 2000rpm on mine. Just checked.

 

[nick.ct]

Where exactly are you measuring it?

 

[AberdeenAngus]

In the garage.

 

[Roger 04 RT]

With the engine running, I'm getting 13.5-13.6v. This is lower than expected, I thought I was after more like 14.4 ish.

The battery is coping at the moment although things felt a bit weak during the winter. Is this a sign that the alternator and/or regulator might be on the way out?

14V is the nominal voltage. As it gets hotter the voltage goes down. The voltages you're measuring are about normal if you're in a warm place or if your engine is hot.

If you replaced your battery with an agm type, ideally the voltage should be between 14.2-14.8V.

 

[Comfy Old Boots]

In the garage.

Chuckling here..,

 

[RedRick Esq.]

In the garage.

Bastard !!!
That was a decent cornish pasty that is now spattered over my monitor