When buying a battery, there must be voltage. Normal car battery voltage and how to measure it. Measurements under the engine

Car battery voltage - an important electrical output indicator that provides stable work without crashing. The car enthusiast must monitor this value to be confident in the performance of the battery. Without it, the launch of the car is practically impossible.

Normal voltage of AKB

Fully charged battery issues a voltage of 12.6-12.7 volts. On retro cars on the instrument panel, it was possible to monitor this value. Now drivers resort to the help of multimeters for measurement. Specialists are recommended to do it 1-2 times a month.

Normal tension Battery a passenger car Depends on environmental factors, as well as from the manufacturer. In some brands, the norm is indicator of 13-13.2 V.

The value also depends on the time of measurement. If you measure immediately after charging, it may be higher. You need to wait 1-2 hours, then the multimeter will show this value.

Level without load

Most often, cars give a value of 12.2-12,39 volts. This speaks about incomplete, but quite sufficient charge of AKB. The nominal value indicated in all reference books is 12 volts. But in practice, this value is rare.

Launch level: minimal for factory

To start the auto enough, more than 12 V. Battery can be fully or only half charged, it will not prevent you from starting. The normal working is considered to be voltage from 12.4 to 12.8 V. It is measured in a calm state without load.

What should be the working voltage under load depending on the tank

Load is an acb test for performance. What voltage on the battery should be under load depends on the tank of your device.

To check, remove the battery from the car. Using a load plug, you need to create a load twice as much capacity. For example, if you have a battery designed for 60 amps / h, give a load of 120 amps.

5 seconds enough to get the result. Voltage should not be below 9 volts. After 5 seconds after the load, it should recover up to 12 V. The value of 5-6 V indicates that the battery is discharged or is on the verge of dying. Post the battery and repeat the experience. If the value is restored, it means that the problem was in the insufficient charge.

How to measure battery voltage

To measure the voltage and other indicators. Purchase a multimeter. It is useful for checking all electrical equipment in the car.

Measurement algorithm:

Turn on the multimeter mode for measuring constant voltage.

Set the maximum value of about 20 V.

Connect the black wire to minus battery, and red to the plus.

Remove the testimony and analyze them.

Signs and reasons for bad charging acb

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If the battery is constantly discharged, we will understand the reasons for a low battery charge:

Akb requires maintenance. Even the non-maintained batteries are recommended to be periodically charged. It is also necessary to check the level of electrolyte and its density.

Development of the resource. This indicates the absence of the possibility of charging the battery, confused polarity, a small current with a load full of discharge.

A constant consumer at the time of rest takes a current from the battery, which is why it is constantly half discharged.

Indicator Degree of Discharge and Drop

If the battery voltage fell below 12 V - this is the first sign that the battery is deposited by half. In this case, you need to immediately charge the device, otherwise the lead plate is subjected to the sulfate process, and the battery life will decrease.

Normal car battery voltage should not fall below 11.6 V. This value indicates a complete discharge. To start the car in this case, you will need "cigarette" or a commissioning device.

Some batteries have color indicators on the housing, which speak about the degree of charge and discharge of the battery. This is an approximate parameter, as it does not indicate how much percent is discharged AKB.

Why the output is wrong and high voltage

If the voltage at the multimeter is above 13 V, most likely it is normal for your brand AKB. Some manufacturers install elevated values \u200b\u200bthat are converted to electrical scheme Auto to normal indicators.

Dependence of voltage from electrolyte density: Table

The voltage directly depends on the density of the electrolyte. It is measured by the device by the device.

At the same time, the electrolyte density check should take place at its temperature from 20 to 30 degrees. A decrease in density by 0.01 indicates a discharge by 5%.

Usually, when buying a battery, the electrolyte density is at 1.27. If you have seen the value of 1.22 when checking, it means that the battery was discharged by 30%. You can use charging from the generator. If the value drops below 50%, it is recommended to use the charger.

The dependence of the electrolyte density from voltage and air temperature

In winter, the battery capacity is always reduced and it discharges faster. That is why drivers bring the battery at temperatures below 30 degrees. This ensures that in the morning the car will start.

From the cold, the density of the electrolyte increases, the voltage drops from it. At the same time, if the battery is charged well, the change in the density will not affect its operation. Half or partially discharged battery does not perceive changes in the electrolyte, so the car starts more difficult.

How to charge the battery

It is recommended to charge the device once a year before the onset of cold weather. This will prepare your rechargeable battery for the winter and will prolong its service life. If required, you can charge it more often than once a year.

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Charging Algorithm Charger Charger:

Remove the battery with the car and clean from dust. It is best to wash the soft rag and a solution of soda and water.

The most important thing is to observe the polarity of the devices. Plus, the battery needs to be connected to the plus of the memory, and minus to minus. If you confuse the wires, the device is discharged.

Turn the memory to the network.

Install constant pressure 14-16 V. Current power supply 25-30 A. As you charge it will fall.

Complete charge will take 10-13 hours.

Many car owners are familiar to the situation, when even insignificant frost accumulator battery, well operating last winter, with difficulty spinning a cooled engine. Often, problems with the battery begin to be felt at 5-10 ° C below zero, so check the battery status is best before the onset of the first cold, because the battery is one of the important elements of the car electrical equipment. Therefore, each owner of the car must know how many volts should show the battery with a full charge.

Why do the car you need a battery

The primary task of the battery consists in starting the motor, i.e. The battery produces the amount of energy sufficient to start it. If necessary, the battery is able to play the role of an additional energy source that helps the current generator to cope with the increased load, which may occur in the electrical network in the case of simultaneously use of various electronic devices. If the generator has failed, then thanks to the battery, the driver can get to the nearest station maintenance. In some situations, the AKB stabilizes the voltage in the charging system of the vehicle.

Lifetime

It should be noted that often car enthusiasts are judged about the status of the battery in the number of years of its service, however, it is incorrect. The service life is determined by the cycles of the charge-discharge of the battery and the conditions in which it was used. Each time the discharged battery does not charge for a long time, the number of cycles of its operation is reduced.

The stronger the depth of discharge and the longer the recharge is not carried out, the more the cycles will be lost.

Only a charged battery will be able to ensure the stable operation of the electric network of the car. Akb with a maximum charge with a load of 3-5 A shows 12.6-12.9 V. Check it possible with the help of an instrument that specialists call load fork. This machine consists of a voltmeter to which two contacts, resistance and handles are attached.

Checking the charge is as follows: In the car, the lights are lit with the motor turned off, after which the voltage on the battery is measured. It is best to measure after the vehicle stood with an unblocked engine 8 or more hours. It is necessary to wait for the specified time in order for all chemical processes that occur in the battery during the car movement stopped.

If the measurements are carried out immediately after the engine is stopped - then the load plug shows inaccurate data.

reference Information

• It is important to take into account that the measurement of the battery charge must be carried out in a warm room. This is explained by the fact that the low air temperature reduces the battery charge.
• Directly charging the battery should be carried out in a well-ventilated place away from fire sources. These precautions are mandatory, because During the charging process, an explosive mixture is distinguished into the atmosphere, the base of which is oxygen and hydrogen.
• After charging, the battery case must be carefully cleansed from the dirt particles and from the acid, if it fell onto its surface.

The battery that is serviced in a timely manner will last much longer, because Periodic battery charging makes it possible to prevent the premature loss of the battery capacity.

How to check the battery car for performance?

Check battery auto using a multimeter

Do not rely on the stress of the battery using on-board computer Machines, because They can be wrong. This is because the voltmeter data is connected directly to the battery, which means that the losses are possible. Therefore, the voltage on them can be shown less than on the battery itself.

Checking the battery when the engine running

If the battery voltage with the engine running will be greater than 14.2 V - this indicates a low battery charging and that the generator works in reinforced mode to charge the battery. This happens not always, for example, in winter it is possible an increased voltage, because The battery could be discharged a little overnight due to cold temperatures, or electronics determines the air temperature and gives more charge to the battery.

In the increased voltage on the battery there is nothing wrong. If everything is fine with the electrical equipment, then after 5-10 minutes the electronics sacrifs the voltage itself to normal: 13.5-14.0 V. If this does not occur, and the voltage is gradually not reset to the optimal value, it may turn into a battery reload. It will always work with a maximum return and possibly discharge of electrolyte.

If the engine is running the voltage less than 13.0-13.4 V - It says that the battery does not fully charge. It is not necessary to immediately run in the auto service immediately, to start, the measurement should occur with all the users turned off, which means turn off the music, headlights, heating, air conditioning and all power consumption instruments.

What is the voltage on the battery when measuring a multimeter? With normal operation of the car electronics, it must be between 13.5 to 14. If below, it says that the car generator does not work. Especially when the voltage at the engine running and the consumers turned off less than 13.0 V.

Also possible is low voltage if the battery contacts oxidized, so before going to the auto service, check all the contacts and read them with a skin.

If the voltage after the power supply of the car's power consumption drops significantly, this suggests that the generator may not work in full powerIt was possible to wear the generator brushes.

Even with all the included consumers, the voltage on the battery of the machine should not fall below 12.8-13.0 V. If it is less - then the battery is simply discharged, and maybe it requires replacement and purchase of a new battery, and how to check it out below.

Checking the battery when not working engine

Normal voltage on the battery with a non-working engine should be from about 12.5 to 13.0 V.

There is one nuance when you measure the voltage on the battery when the engine is not working. If the measurement passes immediately after the engine was muffled, then perhaps one reading, and if the next morning it will already be another voltage. It is best to measure the battery voltage before traveling.

The battery charge level speaks of his ability to keep tension over some days. If the battery is fully charged, even if you did not go for more than a week, the voltage does not much fall. Otherwise, if the car's battery is discharged - the voltage will fall quickly, and the battery charge will last no longer.

We told about a simple method of measuring the voltage on the battery, but it is very approximate, although quite acting. If you want to learn more about the performance of the battery, then talk about it in the next section.

Checking the battery with a loader

How to check battery charge? To do this, connect the load plug, observing the polarity. The joining time should not exceed 5 seconds. At the beginning of the stress of 12-13.0 V. At the end of the fifth second, the voltage should be more than 10 volts. Such a battery is considered charged and able to work under load.

If, when checking the load plug, the voltage drops below 9 volts, the battery is considered weak and unreliable. In this case, you will have to think about buying a new one (how to choose a battery for a car).

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What voltage should be on the battery, even experienced drivers do not always know. But from high-quality operation of the power supply, not only the start of the car engine, but also the functioning of the sound system, backlight, alarm, the remaining voltage consumers is depends. All on-board network modern machines Depends on the normally charged battery. But what indicators are considered an acceptable norm?

The most important aspects of the working state of the automotive power supply belongs to the voltage. After analyzing its indicators, calculate the amount of charge in the battery and, accordingly, its performance.

Akb voltage consisting of six separate cans (the most common type of power supplies) is ideally within 12.6-12.9V. Some manufacturers of automotive power supplies assure that their products can produce 13-13.2V, which is also considered permissible. In practice, tension in passenger cars It is 12.2-12.5V, which indicates an incomplete charge.

An even smaller value indicates that the battery is discharged. It can be used without any consequences, provided that the voltage does not fall below 12 V. If the measurements are made will shown such a digit, the battery must be recharged, otherwise its use is poorly displayed at the power source state. With low charging indicators, the sulfate of the plates increases, which is accompanied by a decrease in the battery capacity.

But even if the measuring instrument shows such a small voltage, the car engine is started. In working condition, the battery with the help of a generator with a wounded motor will return to himself a complete charge.

Many drivers are interested in how much Volt should show the battery so that it is strictly forbidden to operate. The minimum value is the voltage of 10.8 V. All indicators smaller for this figure indicate a deep discharge of the power supply. This value is very dangerous for non-servant batteries. Dropped up completely 2-3 times, they quickly come out of the working condition.

Do not measure the power supply voltage indicators immediately after shutdown charger, and wait at least an hour.

Another aspect associated with the regulatory indicators of the voltage of automotive power sources is its value at the conclusions of the unit that is not connected to the machine. This magnitude is known as EDC and is measured in the same volts.

View videos about checking the battery voltage.

In practice, EDC is nothing more than work spent on the movement of the positive charge between the outputs of the battery. EMF is observed at the conclusions even when the current does not proceed along the chain. If after complete charging the power supply at its outputs appears the figure of 12.6V, then after installing the battery under the hood and the subsequent measurement of the voltage, this indicator drops to 12.4-12.5V. Knowing how much a charged battery should show, no reasons for anxiety.

The battery charge level is determined and controlled not only in the voltage indicators, but also measurement of the electrolyte density. During recharging, water evaporation leads to an increase in acid indicators, the level of which increases the density of the electrolyte. On a charged up to 100% power supply, its indicators should be 1.27-1.29 grams per cubic centimeter. The density is measured by a special device - a steeometer.

The procedure for the measurement of the measurement looks like this: the device is lowered into the filling hole of the power supply, with the help of pears, the electrolyte is taken into the flask in such a way that the float is moving freely. Then, on the scale of the device, the density indicator is removed according to the upper electrolyte level. Indicators are directly dependent on the temperature conditions of the content and operation of the battery.

Inexperienced motorists are often interested in the question, how many amps should show a fully charged battery. In amps measure no voltage, but the current strength, because of which even a 100% charged power source at rest will not show any amps, because there is no current terminals.

Causes of stress reduction in AKB

The voltage on the battery decreases in cases where:

• the battery thoroughly exhausted the resource allotted;
• out of working condition automotive generator, not allowing the power source to charge while driving;
• current leakage occurs;
• after charging, the load on the automotive electrical circuit is increased.

Most of these reasons can be easily corrected, after which the normal car battery voltage will even be in cases where the power supply is operated for more than one year. Only when the service life of the power supply is over, then such an aggregate cannot be helped.

In some cases, motorists themselves are the perpetrators of the discharge of the power supply. Exploiting the car with rides to close distance, they do not allow the battery to recover completely. I looked closely closing the door and having slammed the trunk, forgetting to turn off the headlights, they contribute to the fact that even in the parking lot the battery continues to work, reducing its charge. Included lights and other devices that require charge flow, in a few hours can discharge the battery to zero.

Before producing an additional (scheduled) battery charging or think about buying a new unit, you need to produce visual inspection Aggregate, measure the current strength, electrolyte density and determine the voltage in it. It is important to consider the instrument records when the power supply unit is not loaded and with additional load, reckon with storage and operation conditions.

How and what do the desired charge level check?

Measure the voltage on the power source, resorting to the help of an on-board computer of the machine, it is extremely undesirable because it can often show erroneous data. Miscards of the indicators occurs because the voltmeter adapts not directly to the battery, and this leads to possible losses, showing the numbers much less than directly on the power supply.

Voltage car battery It is advisable to measure using a multimeter or voltmeter, equipped with a load fork.

Using the first device, it is necessary to set it into the mode for measuring the voltage. Then, the devices of the device are applied to the supply of the power supply (the polarity of a special value does not have) and the voltage rate is measured. The multimeter is inexpensive and securely serves in cases where it is necessary to carry out work with the installation, maintenance and prevention of automotive electrical equipment. In the instructions for using the device, there are tables that allow you to determine the level of charging.

Using the load plug (device with a voltmeter, two contacts, handle and additional resistance) In order to determine the voltage on the battery terminals, it will help to explore the real state of the power supply. In this case, the voltage is measured with resistance in a closed chain. The plug creates an imitation of the load on the battery comparable to the launch of the motor.

Check voltage acb.

Before using this device, it is necessary to remove all dirt from the battery case, thoroughly wipe it and clean the terminals (for this you can use fine-grained sandpaper). The first thing for such a test the power supply must be charged to a maximum, after which the plug terminals are connected to the battery terminals and the load in the range of 5 seconds is supplied. On the last second, the testimony of the voltmeter is trapped. If the device shows the numbers below 9 volts, then the test check is larger to produce more - such a power source must be replaced.

Accumulator voltage indicators under load should be 10-10.5V. After disconnecting the instrument, the battery voltage will slightly increase.

Such a check demonstrates the performance of the power supply, since the normal voltage can withstand almost all AKB, and the load indicates which of them "Dusty". The plug creates loads, twice the indicators from rated tank battery.

If no additional load, the power supply demonstrates the voltage indicators of a fully charged power supply, and after attaching the loading plug, it strongly "seats", then this indicates some kind of malfunction in the battery (short circuit, sulfate and other factors). Observing with the cause, the malfunction must be eliminated or buy new aggregateSo that the old battery once failed.

Winter features of voltage indicators on car power supplies

Many drivers complain that in the cold course of the year, all parameters are reduced in the power source when the engine is reduced, and the machine does not start. Foremost owners of four-wheeled vehicle Take the battery for the night from the street into a warm room.

The point is not that the battery is discharged in the cold, and in the fact that at minus temperatures, the electrolyte density indicators change, which is why the level of voltage is reduced. A fully charged battery failure in the work does not even happen in severe frosts. In the discharged battery, the electrolyte state depends on the freezing temperature, which leads to problems with the launch and normal operation of the engine.

The decrease in temperature slows down the chemical reactions in the unit of the unit, with each degree below zero leaves approximately 1% of the maximum charge, as a result of which the voltage is reduced.

For testing batteries in minus conditions, the so-called "cold start" is used. First, the measurements are carried out at -18 ° C (such a temperature most of the power supplies are withstanding without problems), and then at - 29 ° C. Normal operation of the power supply depends not on the voltage, but from the energy of the return. That is, the lower the resistance indicators, the easier it is to flow within the case. In modern types of batteries, the resistance indicators are removed using special impurities, which are added to the plate, as well as by increasing the maximum electrolyte and plates.

Maximum charged battery are not afraid of any frosts. But in winter, the indicators of what the car should be charging must be removed at least once in 7-10 days.

Knowing what voltage should be on the battery, it is necessary to remember that the stress measurements are desirable to produce once a month to protect the battery from unwanted consequences. You can check the battery not only on a hundred, but at home.

Interesting video about the rate of charging acb

We will tell you how to correctly check the car battery for service with the help of a multimeter and loader, which methods exist.

Check using a multimeter

Do not rely on the measurement of the battery using the onboard computer of the machine, because They are mistaken. These voltmeters are connected directly to the battery, which means that there are losses. Therefore, the voltage on them can be shown less than on the battery itself.

Check when the engine running

There is nothing wrong with the high voltage. If everything is fine with the machine electrical equipment, then after 5-10 minutes the electronics hits it to normal: 13.5-14.0 V. If this does not occur and it is gradually not reset to the optimal value, it can turn into an accumulator reload. It will work with the maximum return, which threatens the swollen electrolyte.

If the voltage is less than 13.0-13.4 V motor, says that the battery does not fully charge. It is not necessary to immediately run in the auto service, for starters, the measurement should occur with all the users turned off. So turn off the music, headlights, heating, air conditioning and all power consumption instruments.

Low indicators are possible if the battery contacts oxidized. Therefore, check them. If they are raised (for example green color), Clean the skin or flat supfil.

How else to check the operation of the battery and the generator? There is one way. When the engine is running and the devices, the battery voltage is 13.6. Now turn on the Middle Light. The tension should slightly fall - on 0.1-0.2 V. Next include music, then air conditioning and other sources. Each time turning on the battery voltage should fall slightly.

If the voltage after turning on the power sources of the car drops significantly, it says that the generator does not work at full capacity and wear brushes.

With all the included consumers, the voltage on the battery of the machine should not fall below 12.8-13.0 V.. If less - the battery is discharged and requires replacement and buying new, and how to check out the talk below.

Check when not working engine

There is an old and simple technique to find out the charge level. Thus, the testification of 12.9 V - says that the battery is charged by 90%, the value of 12.5 V is 50%, and 12.1 V - by 10 percent. This is an approximate method of measuring the level of charge, but effective, which is confirmed on its own experience.

There is one nuance. If the measurement passes after the engine was muffled, then one point is possible, and if the next morning is different. It is better to measure the voltage on the battery before the trip.

The battery charge level speaks of his ability to keep tension over some days. If it is fully charged, or did not go for more than a week, the voltage does not much fall. Otherwise, if the battery is discharged - the voltage will fall quickly.

Verification with the load plug

How to check? To do this, connect the load plug, observing the polarity. The joining time should not exceed 5 seconds. At the beginning of the stress of 12-13.0 V. at the end of the fifth second, it should be more than 10 volts. Such a battery is considered charged and able to work under load.

If, when checking the load fork, the voltage drops below 9 volts, the battery is considered weak and unreliable. In this case, you will have to think about buying a new one.