Does anyone else have a good sized voltage drop when they turn on their lights or when they use their turn signals? I can actually watch my volt meter fluctuate as my turn signal goes on and off. And when I turn on my headlights, the voltage drops from 14 down to 13, and if I turn on the AC it drops down into the 12's. Im only using the stock volt meter in the dash, and I know it's not 100% accurate, but it's still should be a good way to judge the drain on the electrical. So do I have a potential issue?

 

Happens to mine too, there may be some info to be found here:

https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/elec...ge-issues.html

 

Thanks for the lead, read it all, looks my situation isnt so bad. My blinkers are a normal speed and my voltage doesnt really drop below 13v, so Im in much better than some of those guys in that thread.

I still want to do a big three upgrade and possibly jump up to a 140 amp alt just to be on the safe side.

 

Ya'....... the VOLT gauge in my 86Z 'jumps' up/down a little with the turn signal flasher and I notice it drop when I use electrical accessories too, like the Fan, Headlights, Heater Blower, and so on.

Not a big deal to me; The idea is to show when there is some type of drain on the system and it does exactly that. Every (similar type) gauge seems to behave a little bit different,..... even when plugged into the same exact cluster. Some are more "relaxed" than others, some tend to "bounce" a little, and some "over-react" to the slightest change.

You can easily temp wire a cheapo digital voltmeter inside the car so it will display a battery voltage readout while the car is in use and various electrical stuff gets turned ON/OFF. Do it, then compare the digital readings to your guage and then decide if there are any parts you want to change.

 

I only really started to pay attention to it recently as I am planning on upgrading to a rather large power hungry amplifier in the near future and question if my electrical system is up to the task to feed a 1200 watt amp. I think I should be ok temporarily until I get a 140 amp unit and run some additional wiring for the big three under the hood.

 

Running a high AMP alternator is pretty important if the car has any more than "basic" needs. If it's got power options like windows and locks,..... that's one thing, but once stuff is added ( like fog lights, electric fan, Audio equipment, ect ) a 140 Amp Alt is almost mandatory !

P.S. The VOLT gauge in my 86 don't bother me much - but my fuel gauge is the one that irritates me, that needle bounces like crazy !