'97 Civic running 14.2 Volts?

[brucepick]

My '97 Civic HX runs at 14.2 volts just about always.
Seems a bit high to me.

Anybody else with a ScanGauge or other good monitor system can tell me what voltage their '97 Civic is running?

[cmittle]

When charging you could see the voltage reading 13.8 -14.0 +. I don't recall personally seeing 14.2, but I wouldn't be too concerned with it.

[Daox]

14.2V is normal.

[PaleMelanesian]

I see 14.2-14.3 when the engine is running and charging. It's normal. It needs to provide a voltage ABOVE the nominal battery voltage for any charging to happen. If it only matches the battery (~12.5V), there will be no reason for any current to flow.

[IndyIan]

I've seen 14.3V on my Neon, the colder the temperature the higher the voltage the alternator puts out.

[brucepick]

Thanks folks.

After posting my question I had the bright ideal to look in my Haynes book for this car. It says 13.5 - 14.5V. Mine runs at 14.2. I have no idea whether that info is generic or specific to that generation Civic but it's reassuring.

IndyIan wrote "the colder the temperature the higher the voltage the alternator puts out". Yes that's true - I've read that before elsewhere. Something about the battery's ability to accept charging voltage varying with temperature.

[Formula413]

Originally Posted by IndyIan

I've seen 14.3V on my Neon, the colder the temperature the higher the voltage the alternator puts out.

Bingo. I've seen as high as 14.7 volts on cold mornings. Once the engine is warm it will stabilize around 14.0-14.2.

[TomO]

I can confirm this but with my 94 VX. The cold starts in the morning result in a 14V reading on my gauge until the car warms up and has no accessories running it'll occasionally turn of the alternator and all the system voltage to drop to 13V.

Way more common in summer for the ECU to turn off the alternator and run 12.5-13V with accessories off.

[JohnnyGrey]

It's normal. Enjoy the increased performance from your audio equipment