11.2 volts - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

xstuntman · 02-11-2024, 09:35 AM

I tend to drive it once every two to three months. The car started slow but it did start, got the window roll up/down pop up.

The 3 year old battery looks pristine, nothing obvious and at the battery 11.2 volts. Took it for a fifteen minute drive up to 65mph then parked and checked, 11.4 volts. Hmm.

Got my trickle charger under the hood and after four hours 11.8 volts checked under the hood too. 12 hours later 12.1 volts which seems kinda slow.

Anybody see a problem there? Admittedly I didn't check the battery clamps but I swear it all looked great. 16,523 garaged miles so I would doubt anything like an alt is going out and yes I'm planning on a float charger today.

gtstorey · 02-11-2024, 10:08 AM

Is the time sitting between drives on a trickle charger/maintainer?

A trickle charger isn’t really designed to charge a low battery so if the battery is still good it might take a long time to gain a charge or not at all without a full size battery charger.

And did you confirm the voltage with a separate voltmeter.

MSgt O · 02-11-2024, 10:11 AM

Sounds about right for a trickle charger actually...and 15 min drive isnt going to charge your low voltage battery that much. Id leave the trickle on for 2 days and then check

bsn · 02-11-2024, 10:36 AM

Letting the battery get low causes sulphation with will dramatically lower the life of the battery. Some modern chargers have a cycle to help reverse this. A trickle charger may not ever charge a battery that's too low, either take it on a long ride or borrow an actual battery charger to get it up then leave the trickle charger on it when not in use.

0stones0 · 02-11-2024, 11:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bsn

Letting the battery get low causes sulphation with will dramatically lower the life of the battery. Some modern chargers have a cycle to help reverse this. A trickle charger may not ever charge a battery that's too low, either take it on a long ride or borrow an actual battery charger to get it up then leave the trickle charger on it when not in use.

This.
I’ve read that real damage to the battery occurs at around 10.5 volts. But, that depends on multiple factors. Age of battery, etc.

xstuntman · 02-12-2024, 11:54 AM

Ok, slow to trickle charge sounds about right since after 36 hours it's up to 12.3 volts.
Battery tender will be going on tonight.
Good to know something's not going south.

ZED SLED · 02-12-2024, 12:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 0stones0

This.
I’ve read that real damage to the battery occurs at around 10.5 volts. But, that depends on multiple factors. Age of battery, etc.

Lead acid cells are 2.1 V and 6 cells make up a battery. If one cell quits working that's where the 10.5 number comes from. Time for a new battery!

chevy pilot · 02-12-2024, 12:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ZED SLED

. Time for a new battery!

+1.

02-11-2024, 09:35 AM	#1
xstuntman Drives: 2012 Victory Red LFX Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: west central Texas Posts: 1,310	11.2 volts I tend to drive it once every two to three months. The car started slow but it did start, got the window roll up/down pop up. The 3 year old battery looks pristine, nothing obvious and at the battery 11.2 volts. Took it for a fifteen minute drive up to 65mph then parked and checked, 11.4 volts. Hmm. Got my trickle charger under the hood and after four hours 11.8 volts checked under the hood too. 12 hours later 12.1 volts which seems kinda slow. Anybody see a problem there? Admittedly I didn't check the battery clamps but I swear it all looked great. 16,523 garaged miles so I would doubt anything like an alt is going out and yes I'm planning on a float charger today. __________________ 2018 SS wheels, red Heritage grille, actual driving lights, ZL1 strut tower brace, GM Performance billet aluminum fuel door, front grille Bowtie delete, painted red rotors and calipers, 1/4 window American Flags, splash guards, AEM dry panel air filter.

02-12-2024, 11:54 AM	#6
xstuntman Drives: 2012 Victory Red LFX Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: west central Texas Posts: 1,310	Ok, slow to trickle charge sounds about right since after 36 hours it's up to 12.3 volts. Battery tender will be going on tonight. Good to know something's not going south. __________________ 2018 SS wheels, red Heritage grille, actual driving lights, ZL1 strut tower brace, GM Performance billet aluminum fuel door, front grille Bowtie delete, painted red rotors and calipers, 1/4 window American Flags, splash guards, AEM dry panel air filter.

02-11-2024, 10:08 AM	#2
gtstorey Drives: 2010 Camaro SS2,L99, LSA SC Join Date: Aug 2017 Location: Huntsville, AL Posts: 2,155	Is the time sitting between drives on a trickle charger/maintainer? A trickle charger isn’t really designed to charge a low battery so if the battery is still good it might take a long time to gain a charge or not at all without a full size battery charger. And did you confirm the voltage with a separate voltmeter.

02-11-2024, 10:11 AM	#3
MSgt O Drives: 2012 Camaro 2SS/RS Vert LS3/M6 Join Date: Aug 2021 Location: Cheboygan, Michigan Posts: 660	Sounds about right for a trickle charger actually...and 15 min drive isnt going to charge your low voltage battery that much. Id leave the trickle on for 2 days and then check

02-11-2024, 10:36 AM	#4
bsn Drives: 2013 ZL1 Join Date: Sep 2021 Location: Virginia Posts: 301	Letting the battery get low causes sulphation with will dramatically lower the life of the battery. Some modern chargers have a cycle to help reverse this. A trickle charger may not ever charge a battery that's too low, either take it on a long ride or borrow an actual battery charger to get it up then leave the trickle charger on it when not in use.