AMP Meter Question

[paul67]

I attended a very nice cruise event yesterday in Quebec, Canada. A very nice show! On the way home I noticed my AMP gauge was a wee bit shy on the (-) side rather than a wee bit shy on the (+) side as used to be the norm. I tested the output from the alternator tonight and it looks fine at 14.5V. But in the non-running condition the battery shows 13.5V. It seems over-charged. Any ideas what is happening here. It is an Optima 800CCA battery.

 

[paul67]

Today the ammeter is perfectly normal: slightly (+). I can't explain what happened last Sunday.

 

[Viet Nam Vett]

Today the ammeter is perfectly normal: slightly (+). I can't explain what happened last Sunday.

I'd check the connection at the meter...Of course..disconnect the negitive battery terminal before checking.

 

[Scott Winebarger]

Thats normal for an Optima. Might have been something shorting out the guage and then fell off, check the guage for a loose conection or something that might be touching it and grounding it out somewhat.

 

[paul67]

I'll check the gauge connection. I have since learned that a fully charged (100%) gel battery will show 12.85 volts in a non-running state. So I guess things are normal.