I've noticed the past 2 mornings with the temps down around 40 degrees that when I first start the engine, the battery voltage drops considerably and then rises again to normal. This occurs alternately off and on for the first 5 minutes or so. I'm guessing that when the heaters for the mainifold are on that they must draw considerable current and thus the battery voltage meter shows a considerable drop. As the engine warms, the frequency of the voltage changing gets less and less until eventually it stays around 14 volts. Is this normal or are the manifold heaters drawing excessive current?

 

all dodge ctd will do this. It is perfectly normal. your engine is just trying to get warm.

 

;D<br> The inlet air heater draws about 100 amps when it is energized. This explains why your charge meter fluctuates till the air heater is no longer energizes! BIG MIKE

 

Dodgeman01 and Big Mike:<br>Thanks for the info.

 

the reason why the battery voltage drops is that the battery itself has an internal resistance due to the lead and electrolite and with the high amps being drawn by the intake &quot;toaster&quot; there is a voltage drop in the battery, therefore a drop on the voltmeter. Happens when you crank over the engine too.