Volvo RWD 200 Forum

INDEX FOR 1/2026(CURRENT) INDEX FOR 7/2010 200 INDEX

[<<]  [>>]


 VIEW    REPLY TO THIS MESSAGE Replies to this message will be emailed.    PRINT   SAVE 

What is the voltmeter trying to tell me? 200

posted by  Erling on  Thu May 26 00:41 CST 2005
Author: [PROFILE] [EVERY POST] [THREADS] [BEST POSTS] RSS Feed     [IGNORE ALL POSTS]
last visit: Wed May 22 00:57 CST 2013
[RELATED]

I installed a voltmeter a few months back. Connected as per Volvo's instructions to fuse #13. My motivation for having it was to make sure I don't overtax the battery during the cold season. (Perhaps an amp meter would have been better?) Basically, I just refrain from using the rear defroster and seat heaters if the needle drops too low.

I would like to have a bit more insight though. What is the meter really monitoring? The output from the alternator? The input to the battery? For a period after starting, the needle tends to stay close to max. After driving for a while, the needle settles around the middle or slightly higher. I assume this means that after starting, the alternator has to do a bit of charging work until the battery has recovered. When the needle drops as I turn on more and more power consumers - is this because there is less power available to charge the battery?

I am painfully aware of my ignorance in this basic stuff, please bear with me.

Erling.
--
My 240 Page






THREADED THREADED EXPANDED FLAT PRINT ALL
MESSAGES IN THIS THREAD

New What is the voltmeter trying to tell me? [200]
posted by  Erling  on Thu May 26 00:41 CST 2005 >


<< < > >>



©Jarrod Stenberg 1997-2022. All material except where indicated.


All participants agree to these terms.

Brickboard.com is not affiliated with nor sponsored by AB Volvo, Volvo Car Corporation, Volvo Cars of North America, Inc. or Ford Motor Company. Brickboard.com is a Volvo owner/enthusiast site, similar to a club, and does not intend to pose as an official Volvo site. The official Volvo site can be found here.