Reiki_Rocket

Just picked up my 2008 G37S less than two weeks ago, and started having issues with my BEL radar detector. Called BEL and they said to put it in voltage display mode as the Self Test error I'm getting on it usually only happens during high or low voltage supply.

I've got the RD plugged into the cigarette lighter and it's reading like 14.9 volts when the car is running (even at idle). Anyone else run into this as 14.9v does not seem normal. Should be like 12.6 to about 13.6 when charging if I'm not mistaken.

911turbo

iTrader: (3)

MORE POWER! haha.

wakeboardr116

iTrader: (6)

^Haha, that made me lol.

I'd take it in and get it checked out. That does seem a little high. Don't want to risk it when it comes to your electrical system.

Arvig

I know you said yours is a 2008, but my 2009 has both a cigarette lighter, and an accessory plug with the same sort of socket. The second plug is in the center console, in the storage compartment there behind the cup holders. My owner's manual did say to only use the cigarette lighter as a cigarette lighter plug, and to use the other plug for accessories, so if yours has what mine has, maybe your radar detector should be only plugged into the lower plug?

Then again, 14+ volts is well..high and does sound weird too, regardless.

BradManUWF

I use the cigarette lighter for my radar detector and it works fine...

Arvig

/shrug

I was just remembering what my 2009's owner's manual says. I've also only had my car less then a week too, so I basically haven't plugged anything into the second plug, and I think I pushed in the cigarette lighter once just to see if it works.

2008G-Man

We use GPS & Cell phone in the cigarette lighter plug just fine on our 2008 Journey. Haven't measured the voltage though. I would think the plugs would have some sort of resistor setup to normalize the voltage.

majin ssj eric

Arvig's right, you should not be using the cigarette lighter for accessories. It may work but it wasn't designed for that usage and may cause problems such as the OP's....

Reiki_Rocket

Ahh, yes - I see it in the owner's manual. I'm having a direct wire done on the RD today anyway so I can run it up by the visor without the damn cord running all over the place.

SkyMG37x

Just to be clear, there's nothing magical about the cigarette lighter circuit compared to the center console circuit. In fact they both are fused at 15A from the same power source (but via separate fuses) with only a slight difference in the socket design. Plugging into the cigarette lighter is no different than tapping off any other power source in the car. The owner's manual comment seems to be less about a technical reason.

Now the voltage is the same throughout the car - voltage is not created differently for the cigarette plug vs. other circuits and is provided by the alternator. According to the service manual the normal output of the alternator @ 40% duty is 12-13.6V and at 80% duty should be "+0.5V higher or more" with all accessories off (HVAC, etc). The regulated output of the alternator is shown as 14.1-14.7V but its adjustment range of power generation voltage variable control is 11.4 - 15.6 V.

So bottom line it seems a bit high but not really abnormal. If you're still concerned the dealer should be able to verify the alternator output is within normal range.

whiddles

iTrader: (2)

just hard wire it and be done with it. then youy dont have to look at all the cords hanging

Reiki_Rocket

I also thought the same thing about how a cig lighter could possibly be a different voltage - I just figured it had a higher amp fuse or something. I was surprised to see the owner's manual comment about not using it for accessories though.

Just to be sure, I called the dealer and they also confirmed that 14 -14.9 is not abnormal.

BEL tells me that this voltage is too high, and I did not have a problem with the RD until I switched to the G37 last week. It makes sense to me that something that's designed to run with a 12v power supply is eventually going to get fried running at almost 15v. I've got about a grand into my RD & laser jammer, and don't want to take any chance of cooking these.

Thanks for the feedback. That's why I love these forums!

Reiki_Rocket

BTW - I also checked the voltage at the accessory plug and it's the same at 14.7 - 14.8v

2008G-Man

Sounds like the power adapter for the RD doesn't have any voltage leveling resistance built in and just takes what ever it's source is and passes it along to the device.

WhosUrBuddiee

iTrader: (1)

I checked mine last night. It is 14.5