Need some help please! Just bought a used 2023 Ram 1500 with 22k on it, and noticed my battery voltage is all over the place. I’ve only had it about 4 weeks. When starting it’s at 14.0 and hovers around 14.0-13.9, but with multiple trips in one day, the voltage continues to drop. Trip one and voltage was at 14.0-13.9, was at the office for about 4 hours and when I started it it was 14.0 again but as soon as I started driving it dropped down to 13.8-13.7 the rest of the drive, got to my next location and it was off for about 30 minutes started it back up and it was 14.0 but upon driving it dropped to 13.6-13.4. Also noticed the voltage is bouncing when I sit at a red light and will jump back and forth about .1 up and down. Is this normal with the etorque system? If it’s a continuous drive I haven’t seen much fluctuation.
Same situation with 2024 5.7 e-torque hemi. So while it seems normal/common when starting the engine or for short runs to see the system charging at 13.9 and dropping on longer drives (as I assume it feels the battery is fully charged), my QUESTION is, what’s the range for the battery just sitting (when the truck is off)?
Mine is currently 12.8 which “I feel” is most likely normal, but how low can it go sitting without issues? IE 12.4-12.8?
I ask because I have a 3 1/2 week trip coming up and while I do have a 5amp tender I’d rather not leave it on in 90-100 degree heat. I was thinking of having a friend check it after 1-2 weeks and if it gets below ____ (?) go ahead and set up the charger to run for a day.
I have the Ram app (which shows location etc info on the truck) as well as what’s called the DRONE app (providing similar but more info and control) that I’m sure will draw the battery down somewhat, so thought it would be good to have it checked while gone.