I just replaced my batteries with Optimas and I still get the battery voltage dropping to where it hardly registers on the gauge. Then takes awhile ( 10 - 15 seconds ) to come back up to normal ( 14 volts ). Yeah, the heaters are cycling on and off but is this "normal" ?

 

YUP, normal.
Mine will drop to around 9 - 10 volts when those grid heaters kick in.

Cold in Arizona?..........what's the world comming to?

 

Yes it is normal. Seen a few posts about this lately.

 

Cool ! Thanks much, I thought I was on the road for a new alternator.

 

My truck even makes the "check guages" light come on for a few seconds, with the chime. I look at the dash, like 9 volts. A few min. later, she's up to 14v.
I live in Las Vegas. I have 2 optimas.

 

Shovelhead....I think you mean "cold" [fingers in the air doing air quotes] in Arizona.... I live where it gets COLD (no quotes).

 

yepper - it's normal- been watching this happen

 

From the looks of things, I prolly didn't NEED the Optima's, but I've been wanting them and maybe it's just a preventative measure. The original batteries were still in the truck and I figured it was about time anyway.
Yup, gonna get into the low 40's tonight, maybe the high 30's . Life is rough sometimes. just kidding. Thanks again for the reassurancees.

 

we had this talk a few weeks ago thats why I went with dual oddessy 2150's instead of wimpy optima's . and yes I have delt with may optima's reds and blue tops. I know they don't like long term low amp draws of 3/4 to 1 amp on all the time. it seams to make them vent.