Voltage readings

[harleysuc]

I have the Escort 8500 X50 radar detector and set it to monitor my battery voltage. I notice the voltage seems very low, never gets above 13 volts. Is this normal? Every other vehicle I put it in shows the expected 13 to 14 volts. It does change voltage when the ignition is off to around 12 volts (sometimes less). Do I have a problem coming?

 

[odot]

check it with a regular volt meter.

 

[SkooterG]

No, it should be reading higher. My Escort reads 14.3-14.6 volts with no major drawing farkles on.

Where do you have the Escort power cord hooked up?

 

[keithaba]

No, it should be reading higher. My Escort reads 14.3-14.6 volts with no major drawing farkles on.
Where do you have the Escort power cord hooked up?

Was gonna ask that. Directly hooked to battery, or crimped to a running light or something like that?

I guess that might make a difference.

On the other hand, I had no idea you could even do that! Time to break out the manual!

 

[HaulinAshe]

On the other hand, I had no idea you could even do that! Time to break out the manual!

You really should slow down and read, while I take pictures.

B)

 

[kaitsdad]

I have the Escort 8500 X50 radar detector and set it to monitor my battery voltage. I notice the voltage seems very low, never gets above 13 volts. Is this normal? Every other vehicle I put it in shows the expected 13 to 14 volts. It does change voltage when the ignition is off to around 12 volts (sometimes less). Do I have a problem coming?

hs,

I would first suspect the connection points being used -

However -

You're bike is an 06, and it's possible that your battery is starting it's downhill slide - are you the original owner of the bike? If not, it could have been improperly stored, abused, used as a doorstop, or .....

I completely discharged mine twice (DAMHIDT) last December, and now have a new battery.

Verify the voltages with a VOM at the battery - both resting, and with engine idling. This would probably be the quickest way to define the fix.

 

[lnewlf]

I have the same detector on the same bike hard wired using a tap off the glove box plug and it reads 13 volts.Also jumps around a lot. Guess I'd better check the voltage at the batt. as suggested here..

 

[TriggerT]

FWIW, I have a Datel wired to the wiring for the head lights. It has never read above 13.4, and from what some of the people have said here on the forum, that is more than likely normal. The only way to be sure is to check it directly off of the battery, or the stator. Someone, can't remember who, said they would estimate that I am down about 0.5 from a true reading, based on where i have it wired. But that is a lot of guess work.

 

[bramfrank]

Headlight wiring on the bike sucks big time.

Anyone with a headlight modulator will be able to demonstrate the voltage drop in the wiring - just watch the marker lights when the headlight is flashing . . .

Aside from the fact that your Escort is NOT exactly a calibrated instrument, taking the measurement anywhere other than the battery will not produce accurate results - it is the bettery voltage that counts.

 

[twowheelnut]

...and it's possible that your battery is starting it's downhill slide...

Ding, ding, ding! Winnah!

I feared my battery was about to fizzle as well. Been seeing lower readings lately and double checked things today. Yeppers, time for yet another bikeeffects.com order.