Hi all
Quick question,
checked voltage at battery today with engine running at about 3000 rpm, got 14V - is that normal for this model ? - I would have expected about 14.2 but could be wrong.

Also advise wanted on a good replacement battery - make and model. Hopefully it is not a special (read silly price) size for fitment,,

Thanks

Cap.

Charging voltage should be between 13.6v and 14.4v, so its fine.

For a new battery, I got this:
http://www.eurocarparts.com/ecp/c/F...7f620ed742db70bfa3fbbf0e7ad9cf4b2ac193&000020

On the front page of their website they are giving 15% off this price using the promo code Battery15

Thanks again Portland Bill,
Cap.

captainslarty said:

Hi all
Quick question,
checked voltage at battery today with engine running at about 3000 rpm, got 14V - is that normal for this model ? - I would have expected about 14.2 but could be wrong.

Also advise wanted on a good replacement battery - make and model. Hopefully it is not a special (read silly price) size for fitment,,

Thanks

Cap.

Click to expand...

seems a bit low to me but depends on your battery condition, i got a new battery 4 yr guarantee off fleabay for £36 cant remember what cca it was but pretty near what it should be,
if you suspect battery disconnect it from car and give it a charge for a few hours that can make a difference

lots of stuff on youtube

Hi Jon, yes, I also though it was a bit low, I would have expected around 14.2 depending on the battery type. Thanks for the link but I would not recommend trying to LOAD TEST a battery with a multimeter - it simply is not accurate enough to give you the required info
To test a battery, one needs to look at specific gravity as well as load - a quick start test will not load a battery well enough.
The voltage reading from the alternator is the part that concerns me, I will just replace the battery, it is overdue for one anyway and of little cost. Any known make which will fit will be fine for a replacement - it was the size I was bothered with . The CCA tends to be about the same on most batteries of good make and similar Ah. But yes, 450 is a good all round spec for this. I will probably replace the alternator as well if the voltage does not increase - AFTER checking the power draw of the steering pump at idle - it may well be the power steering pump that is dragging the alternator output down due to a pump running at start up !!! and a battery on it's way out.

It is quite easy to test the current consumption of the pump, it just needs a DC Clamp meter Ammeter - what you do make a lead about 2 feet long from 6cm3 cable with a spade at one end and a spade socket at the other, you then make a smaller lead with the same config. The spades fit in the original fuse location, the fuse goes in the spade sockets. Now apply the clamp meter around the cable to read the dc current directly - it can be used on almost any fuse supplied equipment. also the current from the alternator can be easily read by using the clamp meter. After a multimeter (a good one !) a dc clamp meter is invaluable - but rather expensive for a good one.
It will be interesting to see what current the steering is taking prior to startup, and the actual output of the alternator. It is definitely having a new battery for its birthday though

If ti helps, my field is marine electronics engineering. We have differing battery types and differing alternator output limits depending on type. Sealed, wet, agm, gel etc.

Just for reference, I found the correct data. So 14V is spot on, best to use this for reference - it is from genuine Fiat tech manual

Versions --------- 1.1 8V --- 1.2 8V---- 1.2 8V Cond ----- 1.3 JTD
Rated voltage----- 14V------- 14V-------- 14V ----------- 14V
Rated current
(1800/6000 Rpm) 45/70A -- 50/90A -------55/105A ---------42/80A

So, good to go on the alternator. ! reading spot on.