Cranking volts ?

[tuxman]

when i crankover the Can-am the battery voltage drops to 10 volts ,turnover speed seems a bit slow, when its running it shows 13.8 volts so i think alternator is ok . i keep the battery topped up with the ctek charger all the time just wondered if the battery was about to give up . simon

[jschwartz]

Dinky stock wire from battery to ignition switch, too much amperage draw. Change it to a 10Ga wire (or add one) and you'll pick up 2 volts. Not a factory authorized change, but it works.
Jeff s

[yiihaa]

jschwartz said:

Dinky stock wire from battery to ignition switch, too much amperage draw. Change it to a 10Ga wire (or add one) and you'll pick up 2 volts. Not a factory authorized change, but it works.
Jeff s

But that change won't affect the cranking current or voltage, just the voltage drop around the switch and the voltmeter.

I'd say that if it seems like the cranking speed has got slower over time, then yes your battery is on the way out. If on the other hand the only symptom is a low reading on the voltmeter, then you can't read anything into that, thanks to the way the voltmeter is wired.

[GreenV8S]

It wouldn't be that unusual for the battery to drop to 10V while cranking a big engine.

[tuxman]

general opinion today is that its pretty normal (thanks steve d ) will keep a eye on it