how accurate is the "battery dash gauge?"

[tbomb]

i know the gauges in the dash are really only "idiot lights", but my battery gauge is hovering around the 35-40% mark...probably a lil closer to 40%. i know the numbers sound fine, but when i look at it, it just looks a little low, so i wanted to get some opinions from people who know more than me about all that electrical crap

thoughts, comments, help?

thanks.

 

[jimbo74]

should be in the middle of the battery picture..... take your truck to kragen and have them load test it after removing the surface charge...

 

[Robb]

I would put a voltmeter across the battery while running to see if your alternator is producing a good charge (13.5-13.8 at idle).
EDIT: Jim is correct below: charge should be between 14-15v

Jim, I have never heard of Kragen. Is that a nationwide thing?

Robb

 

[jimbo74]

CSK Automotive... they are Kraken, Schucks, & Checker and also Parts America online..... also... be weary..... a normal charge for a battery is like 14.6 volts....

 

[laynlow]

Its been my experience that these gauges will sometimes read off, but stay in their own range. In otherwords, if you determine that all is well with the battery and charging system, then where your gauge reads now would be your normal. Any flux in the system would still show up on the gauge, you just have to learn read YOUR gauge.

 

[taxx]

Originally posted by tbomb
i know the gauges in the dash are really only "idiot lights", but my battery gauge is hovering around the 35-40% mark...probably a lil closer to 40%. i know the numbers sound fine, but when i look at it, it just looks a little low, so i wanted to get some opinions from people who know more than me about all that electrical crap

thoughts, comments, help?

thanks.

I noticed last week mine was doing the same. Went to Autozone and had the battery and alternator tested and all was fine, so I guess my gauge is just a little off!

 

[Robert]

As long as the motor turns over with authority and starts right up I wouldn't worry about it. The needle on my battery gauge goes up to the bottom right corner of the battery symbol. I would estimate that to be about 40% of the full range. My battery is one year old and starts right up.

 

[tbomb]

Originally posted by Robert
As long as the motor turns over with authority and starts right up I wouldn't worry about it. The needle on my battery gauge goes up to the bottom right corner of the battery symbol. I would estimate that to be about 40% of the full range. My battery is one year old and starts right up.

the position of my needle is exactly the same as yours robert. the motor turns over fine, so i guess im in good shape then. i think my trucks up for inspection this fall, so im gonna wait till then, unless something serious happens in the meantime.

thanks everyone for your help.