Voltage dip after startup
Professional
Joined: Dec 2006
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RE: Voltage dip after startup
ORIGINAL: VA Vince
Kinda the same question I have. Mine ( an 06 ) started doin this about a month ago. Now when I turn the key to warm the glow plugs the voltmeter is almost down near 8. before it was around the normal 12. Seeing that it stays around 8 on startup, even if I have been runing for an hour stop for a few minutes and start up again. It does the same thing, keeps getting lower on the voltmeter. I am hoping it is the heater like mentioned above, but thinking it could be the alternator. Just confuses me why the voltmeter keeps getting lower and lower, day after day? Confused CTD owner.
Kinda the same question I have. Mine ( an 06 ) started doin this about a month ago. Now when I turn the key to warm the glow plugs the voltmeter is almost down near 8. before it was around the normal 12. Seeing that it stays around 8 on startup, even if I have been runing for an hour stop for a few minutes and start up again. It does the same thing, keeps getting lower on the voltmeter. I am hoping it is the heater like mentioned above, but thinking it could be the alternator. Just confuses me why the voltmeter keeps getting lower and lower, day after day? Confused CTD owner.
As far as the voltage that keeps dropping, you might want to have the batteries and alternator load tested.
Rookie
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 57
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From: Henderson, NV
RE: Voltage dip after startup
Just wanted to let everyone know that my 08 is doing the same thing, just wanted to chime in. Truck runs fine and only does this when it's cold out. Just more draw on el batterio like the consesus says.
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 23
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RE: Voltage dip after startup
you dont have glow plugs .you got a heater grid and thats what making your voltage jump up and down like everyone is is saying its the heater grid.. Mine does it every mournig at start up but right now its 24 degrees here to.. dont be worried its normal..
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Joined: Dec 2007
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RE: Voltage dip after startup
ORIGINAL: jewraffe
it is what everyone is saying. The cummins relies on 2 stacked intake grid heaters for cold (and colder) starting. Each grid heater draws approx 50-60 amps (this means 120 amps). Add to this the other electrical demands just to run the engine and truck (ignintion, abs, etc) and you far exceed the capable output of the alternator (probably 150 amps @ a couple thousand RPM) as alternators do not charge well at idle. So by exceeding the alternator you begin to draw on the batterys which are capable of approx 12.6 volt in perfect conditions. In other words, normal operation
it is what everyone is saying. The cummins relies on 2 stacked intake grid heaters for cold (and colder) starting. Each grid heater draws approx 50-60 amps (this means 120 amps). Add to this the other electrical demands just to run the engine and truck (ignintion, abs, etc) and you far exceed the capable output of the alternator (probably 150 amps @ a couple thousand RPM) as alternators do not charge well at idle. So by exceeding the alternator you begin to draw on the batterys which are capable of approx 12.6 volt in perfect conditions. In other words, normal operation
In the case of the 1st Gen CTD, Cummins/Dodge spec a 1250cca (@ 0*F) battery. The alternator's only good for 120amps so when the heaters cycle, they dip into the battery dimming the lights. I expect it's the same with the later trucks running dual batteries.
Record Breaker
Joined: Oct 2005
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RE: Voltage dip after startup
My 01 has been doing the same thing for 7 years now. Think it could be the heating grid? I thought maybe if I ignored it, it would go away and It usually does around April. 