Hokiefan

Ok..so I inadvertently overcharged my battery with a trickle charger and the first time I drove it a couple miles down the road the alternator needle fell back to about 12. After turning it off and restarting several times it seems fine. I guess my question is did the alternator sense that the battery had too much voltage and figure it didn't need to charge until the battery voltage dropped back to where it should be?

oldchevy

I have used trickle chargers for years and never had one overcharge a battery. i believe they have a taper charge and stop charging when the battery is fully charged.

Hokiefan

Ok, that's what I thought. Last night with the headlights, heater, radio all on the gauge was at or about 14. This morning with nothing on it goes back to 12 +/-. It hasn't been doing this. I just had the battery and alternator checked a couple weeks ago and they were said to be fine. This is my first Chevy and I'm thinking it will be my last!!!

hicksvilleshick

Thats normal. My brother calls them "smart" alternators. You'll see on the gauge what the range is they consider normal.

First few times I saw it running under 14 I freaked out too, but again, it senses what it needs and only charges that.

Hokiefan

That's pretty much what the Chevy tech at the dealer told me. I swear these new vehicles are too danged smart for a dumb country hick like me.