charge rate

[Daz]

morning all , after having to jump start the car afew times lately decided to change the battery , which did appear to be the original kobe industries one !
anyway put the new one on and checked the charge rate and it's fluctuating just over 15v on tick over , but would normally expect it to be around 14v . so do i have an alternator fault overcharging or is this normal for a subaru as i havn't checked before . thanks

[Daz]

been out for a run now , just checked the charge rate and it's back down to around 14v so all looks good

[Bonovox]

On the subject of your alternator, do you know that it's a good idea to always drive with your side lights on? Some quirk or other, so that there is a drain on the battery or the alternator doesn't charge it......... Something like that sure a more technically minded chap will keep you right.

[Daz]

i've also heard of this but i'm not too sure how true it is , after checking my charging today it doesn't make any difference wether the lights are on or not , and surely there is enough drain from just the power required to make the plugs spark ! maybe this was something the stealers were telling customers who were trying to claim warranty on flat batteries

[John Mc]

On the subject of your alternator, do you know that it's a good idea to always drive with your side lights on? Some quirk or other, so that there is a drain on the battery or the alternator doesn't charge it......... Something like that sure a more technically minded chap will keep you right.

True. It has an intelligent alternator which needs a "load" before it starts charging... putting the side lights on means it is subjected to a "load" and begins charging.

[MUNK]

Ran mine with side lights on... As it was always going flat... Made no difference what so ever??