Some electrical/radio questions

[sky56]

Hey everyone. I've got a new battery under the hood (can't remember the cold crank amps and such) anyways I recently upped my idle as I felt that once it was warmed up it felt low like a drag car that sounds like it's just ready to be romped on (no tach) and it seemed to make the dash lights dim. Granted I understand how electrical current works and all that and I know it gets brighter when you drive it as more current is flowing. Even in park it seems good. After upping the idle a bit it got much better while in drive at a stop light. Is there something I'm missing or did I fix it? Also I'm sure its a loose wire but I have a jvc cd player in and it's all hooked up right but I feel after hitting bumps or being at a stop light it keeps cutting out and turning back on. This is while my iPod is hooked up. Any thoughts would be super helpful. Thanks everyone. Take care

 

[lectric80]

If the voltage is dropping when you are at idle or stopped it is most likely due to the voltage regulator. I can't say for sure on 75, it may be an external regulator, or it may be internal to the alternator

 

[AlaskanK5]

Hey,

Your grounds all solid? check for corroded wiring also... Just throwing some ideas out there

 

[Avery4jc]

If the voltage is dropping when you are at idle or stopped it is most likely due to the voltage regulator. I can't say for sure on 75, it may be an external regulator, or it may be internal to the alternator

What's the best way to test this? My rig drops to 12-13v when it's idling low but runs about 13.5-14.5 when I'm driving.

 

[KansasTwister]

long as its running 12.7v your fine.

 

[lectric80]

What's the best way to test this? My rig drops to 12-13v when it's idling low but runs about 13.5-14.5 when I'm driving.

As long as you test at the battery when it is idling and when the truck is off, you should see higher voltage at the battery when it is running. If there is not a higher reading, i.e. truck off 12.4V truck idling 12.4V, or a lower reading when the truck is running(discharge) then you should be concerned. As long as the reading is higher when the truck is running it shouldn't be any worries since the alternator is putting out more than the battery holds in a steady state. If your lights dim at idle or there are other signs of a drop in power, that is when you need to start checking things out. Yours is an internal regulator, unless you have gone to a much older alternator, which seems unlikely.

 

[Avery4jc]

As long as you test at the battery when it is idling and when the truck is off, you should see higher voltage at the battery when it is running. If there is not a higher reading, i.e. truck off 12.4V truck idling 12.4V, or a lower reading when the truck is running(discharge) then you should be concerned. As long as the reading is higher when the truck is running it shouldn't be any worries since the alternator is putting out more than the battery holds in a steady state. If your lights dim at idle or there are other signs of a drop in power, that is when you need to start checking things out. Yours is an internal regulator, unless you have gone to a much older alternator, which seems unlikely.

That makes sense, I'll have to check it out. My lights are a little dim at idle (well they're not bad but when I get in the throttle they get noticeably brighter).
I'll have to look into it.