correct battery voltage

[Bob Shultz]

Does any one know what the correct voltage of a 12 volt wet cell battery should read when there is no load? I think I saw 12.5 volts somewhere. My readings at present are 12.23 on the house and starting. Thnak you.

 

[Don]

check the attached

URL.Might be more info than you wanted but it does indicate that voltage isn't the best indicator of charge. The conventional wisdom is that around 12.7 v is topped up.Don

 

[Warren M.]

Battery Charge

While I agree with Don that voltage may not be the best measure of the condition of your batteries, it does tell you something important. I have a chart that indicates that your batteries ought to show 12.6 - 12.8v to be fully charged and that batteries showing about 12.23v are less than 50 per cent charged -- a seriously deficient condition. First thing to check is the device you are measuring the voltage with. Some of the cheap digital VOMs on the market can be off by a lot. Another thing to check is the output of your alternator, which ought be putting out over 14 volts when the engine is running. Anything less is not charging your batteries.