Rebeldryver's '65 Impala SS Black Betty

[Scott Liggett]

This is what I did for mine. I ran a short length of battery cable with ring terminals on each end from the frame to the block and have had no issues.

Easy enough to add.

[Scott Liggett]

I had some time before work yesterday I backed the car down the driveway and ran it for 20 minutes. It got plenty warm under hood and I still was getting 15.25 volts at the battery on my cheap, old multimeter.

I will add a ground strap this weekend, just in case.

[SuperBuickGuy]

15.25? that's a bit high (or is the multimeter inaccurate?)

[Scott Liggett]

15.25? that's a bit high (or is the multimeter inaccurate?)

Dont know. The voltage gauge was reading 14 volts at the same time. My old AC Delco voltage/dwell/something else gauge doesnt read right anymore. I have another multi tester in the other car, I will use that one.

[yellomalibu]

15.25? that's a bit high (or is the multimeter inaccurate?)

Isn't around 14.4 volts ideal? That number is stuck in my head for some reason...not sure where it came from.

[Beagle]

Fresh battery should be about 13.8 if I remember correctly?

[silver_bullet]

still running the old style voltage regulator? may be time for a replacement...

[Scott Liggett]

No. Internal reg. Checking the battery volts this morning before starting was 12.25.

[BOOOGHAR]

have you had the battery load tested ?

[Scott Liggett]

Nothing wrong with the battery. I am sure it's just a matter of wiring. But, as I have been driving it, it works better each day.

[langleylad]

The battery in my truck goes from 12.6 to 11.6 in 2 days and won't start the thing . I've checked the draw and it's like .006 . Which is dick all so I'm thinking that the battery ( 3 year old yellow top Optima ) is not holding a charge . New battery ? .

[Deaf Bob]

The battery in my truck goes from 12.6 to 11.6 in 2 days and won't start the thing . I've checked the draw and it's like .006 . Which is dick all so I'm thinking that the battery ( 3 year old yellow top Optima ) is not holding a charge . New battery ? .

Hmm?? Should start as low as 10v rather easily unless you have pretty high compression..

[Scott Liggett]

The battery in my truck goes from 12.6 to 11.6 in 2 days and won't start the thing . I've checked the draw and it's like .006 . Which is dick all so I'm thinking that the battery ( 3 year old yellow top Optima ) is not holding a charge . New battery ? .

I would consider getting a new battery. But, first try disconnecting the battery cables to see if still has a problem starting after a few days. If it doesn't lose the charge with it disconnected, then the draw is causing it. I thought the yellow tops were deep cycle marine batteries that could be run down low and still recharge repeatedly. Optima also now makes a charger specifically for their dry cell batteries. Supposedly, regular chargers don't work well with Optima type batteries.

My Caprice's last battery lasted ten years. I would let it sit for a month and it would fire up. This was the battery that I got at the junkyard when I bought the car.

I let the car sit all week and it was down to about 11 volts, but the voltage gauge is the farthest thing from the battery, wiring wise. Battery in trunk, to Ford solenoid, to alternator, to horn relay, to fuse block, to secondary fuse block, then to voltage gauge.

[squirrel]

If there are no other loads on the battery, then the volt meter should be reading properly, even if it's connected far away from the battery....voltage drop in the wiring is proportional to current, and the volt meter itself draws very little current.

[SuperBuickGuy]

If there are no other loads on the battery, then the volt meter should be reading properly, even if it's connected far away from the battery....voltage drop in the wiring is proportional to current, and the volt meter itself draws very little current.

ever tried the free HF voltage testors? I have - their displayed voltage varies by +/- 1.1 v on a 12v battery.

I asked about the 15.25 volts because prolonged overcharging will kill the battery.