Now the alternator?

mcdaniel1991 · Dec 10, 2012

So prior to today my alternator was putting out 14.2 or so volts at idle but my battery voltage was dropping to 10.8 v in the morning when I start my truck so today I went and bought 2 yellow top Optimas and now my voltage on my sct says 13.56 at idle...?

FallenAuthority · Dec 10, 2012

mid to high 13s is where you want to be with a properly functioning alternator. If your old batteries were worn out the alt was charging higher trying to bring them up to where they shouldve been, now you have good batteries so your alternator has much less load on it.

Zmann · Dec 10, 2012

Agreed
your fine with that voltage .. I wish you would have research batteries first before you bought Optimas

Extended Power · Dec 10, 2012

The other problem is if one battery starts to flake out, the alternator never fully charges them up, and is always running full out...burning out the stock alternators quick, as it is undersized.

mcdaniel1991 · Dec 11, 2012

Zmann said:
Agreed
your fine with that voltage .. I wish you would have research batteries first before you bought Optimas

I did read quite a bit and a lot of people said the yellow top Optimas were hard to beat? I seen that since they moved to mexico some people think there crappy now but they still come with a 3 year warranty. And since I'm stationed in Germany I don't have alot of choice!

Zmann · Dec 11, 2012

Well thats a good enough reason !

Sicksoh · Dec 11, 2012

Don't be scared if Optimas I run yellow tops in our gas jobs and red tops in my 350 I have never had anything but great luck with Optimas. Odyssey are good but way more expensive too .