Another Issue.... digital voltmeter

[jroberts650]

I installed my digital voltmeter yesterday where my fuel gauge was that I got from ebay. Everything works fine but with the Spyder off it's only showing 12 volts. When running the gauge shows 13.2 volts and goes up to 13.4-13.5 while the rpm's are up. A new battery was just installed last month. I always thought a fully charged battery should be anywhere from 13-13.6 volts. Is this normal? Even shows the same voltage when I take my battery tender off.

[oldguyinTX]

I installed my digital voltmeter yesterday where my fuel gauge was that I got from ebay. Everything works fine but with the Spyder off it's only showing 12 volts. When running the gauge shows 13.2 volts and goes up to 13.4-13.5 while the rpm's are up. A new battery was just installed last month. I always thought a fully charged battery should be anywhere from 13-13.6 volts. Is this normal? Even shows the same voltage when I take my battery tender off.

Mine does the same thing. 12 V when off, 14 volts when running. Remember, the 998 has a magneto, not and alternator. I think you're OK.

[subdude17349]

It's working correctly.

A 12 volt storage battery (sealed lead acid, wet, gelled acid, whatever) when fully charged stores at 12 volts :yes:. That's 2 volts per cell x 6 cells.

The alternator on your Spyder will put out about 13.1 - 13.3 volts at idle, and anywhere from 13.2 to 14 volts when at higher rpm. The voltage regulator part of the alternator holds it at those voltages. If you ever see more than 14 volts at speed, the voltage regulator has gone bad.

[spyderCodes]

When you install a voltmeter using the pre-existing wiring you see the regulated voltage.
If you want to be absolutely certain of the charging voltage run your meter through a relay connected to the regulated voltage as a trigger then go directly across the battery with a separate wire.

[finless]

When you install a voltmeter using the pre-existing wiring you see the regulated voltage.
If you want to be absolutely certain of the charging voltage run your meter through a relay connected to the regulated voltage as a trigger then go directly across the battery with a separate wire.

Yep, that is correct! When I did the voltage gauges I was worried how low it read too.

Bob

[jroberts650]

Ok, thanks guys. Makes me feel better.

[pegasus1300]

BTW do not worry if your charging voltage reads low.Check it at the battery with a VOM. My digital meter reads 1/2 volt low. 12.9 is really 13.4.Check yours to see for sure.