I know my battery is on its way out, but I was wondering what your guys' voltmeter reads when the engine isn't on. Mine is pretty low, prbly just above the red. I was driving home from work and listening to music with my headlights on and every time I would brake, the stereo would turn of then on again, and the volt meter would spike.

I'm almost sure the alternator is good, cause we have testers at wrok that I used, and it checked the whole charging system and said it was fine, but the battery only had 249 CCA (its an 800 CCA battery). Also, the cylinders were real low on water, so i filled them up and put it on a charger, but it doesn't seem to have held.

I was thinking if I need a new battery I might just get one of those gel-filled deep-cycle ones, cause eventually I'm gonna have a system, etc. I get a 25% discount, so I can get em for $97. It's an Excide Orbital Select with 890 CA.

What do you think?

 

When the key is on, the gauge is very low on mine too. It shouldn't be the battery, it's like 2 months old.

 

Mark, the gauge will read low with just the key on. The car must be running for the system to show a charge.
tizzdizz you may have solved your problem by adding water...make sure all the connections are tight and clean, and your belts are tight and in good shape. I would do that. give the battery a good charge, Drive it to work and test it again,
Its been my experience that a 3 yr bat. will last 2yrs 364 days.....get my drift..