Idle Voltage Question

[Atrais]

Here's the issue:

Sitting at a light earlier tonight and saw the amp meter needle go down to just above the "1" on the "12" on the gauge. Lights dimmed a bit but it held steady there (this was at a red light at idle). As soon as I got moving again it was up around the ~13V again. This happened twice at two red lights. Just wondering if this is normal, and what your guys's voltage tend to sit at around idle (~750 rpm).

On at the time:
ECON a/c mode
blower fan
OEM fog lights
85W Osram Low Beams (using upgraded wiring and relays)
Radio

Brand New Mitsubishi Alternator
Brand New Optima Red Top
2 Ga Ground Wires
2 Ga Direct Power Wire from Alt to Batt (with 100A breaker)

 

[KyleT]

My gauge reads lower than a multimeter on the battery fwiw


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[Atrais]

^ Good to know, thanks. I tried to replicate this in the garage when I got home but it still didn't dip that low. Not sure what's up.

I've got an 18 hr trip coming up and ******** like this make me leery...

 

[nwoods]

My battery gauge is completely useless. It's reading..... something, no idea what. Atmospheric pressure maybe ?

 

[jeep-N-montero]

I'm wondering how much light those 85w low beams put out and if they are 100% legal? More details please.

 

[Atrais]

I'm wondering how much light those 85w low beams put out and if they are 100% legal? More details please.

Sorry they're 80W/85W (my mistake), I got them from here:

http://store.candlepower.com/64206.html

It says "off-road use only" on the boxes and they do throw significantly more light than what was in there when I got it but the design of the Monty's headlight reflectors does a pretty good job of keeping the glare down and the light pointed where it should be (I haven't been flashed at for them yet and I do a lot of highway driving).

 

[plh]

My battery gauge is completely useless. It's reading..... something, no idea what. Atmospheric pressure maybe ?

Agreed

 

[Martyn]

If your amperage draw was less than the alternator output, then it sounds like you had some issue with the voltage regulator. If you can't replicate it you have to hope it was a one off occurrence.