Voltage

[mattapo]

What voltage are Legacys ment to put out, I have a turbo timer that displays volts and its reading13.4 when driving most of the time however when at idle it reads in the low 12's.

It may sound like a silly question but I'm used to a 24volt system.

[suubyduuby]

Sounds right mate.

When you're driving, the alternator is charging your battery and so the cell voltage reads higher - typically 13V or so.

When the engine is switched off, you're reading the charged cell-voltage of the battery - should be around 12-12.5V. Less than 12V ie 10-11V indicates a flat or dying battery.

[mattapo]

sweet as, I thought it shout be more like 13.8 mabe even the odd 14 perhaps. didnt think it would drop to the low 12's at idle though

[Guest boostin]

 mattapo said:

sweet as, I thought it shout be more like 13.8 mabe even the odd 14 perhaps. didnt think it would drop to the low 12's at idle though

Yeah it should be closer to 14V. Sounds like your alternator could be on its way out.

[DRFVDR]

Alternators will vary their output to the amount of draw on them and the revs that they are doing..

Max should be about 14.4 volts at full noise and with a flat battery/or big load

min about 12.5-13 v at idle as it may not be spinning fast enuff to charge higher

[Guest keltik]

Mine sits on happy 13.0v at idle. But i do have a very low idle at 500rpm. Gets up to 14.5v when your driving along.

[Ben]

Mine sits 13.2 - 13.4 idle. 13.5 - 14 general driving.

[dvs-b4]

my volt gauge in my b4 sits at a steady 14v while the car is runing unless i turn my lights on nd it drops to 13v but give it a tap of the gas nd right back to 14v. 12v while runing seems prity low