alternator problems? Or just cold?

[500mag_guy]

Hey guys I just put new optima red top batteries in my truck. It's been cold here lately anywhere from 17 degrees to 0 degrees. Whenever I start my truck My volt metter is at the bottom of the safe zone and takes quite a while to get above 14 volts. Before it got cold when i started my truck it was just down from 14 volts. Is this due to the cold and my glow plugs having to cycle longer or is it my alternator going to pot. It doesn't matter if it's a cold start in the morning or if it has been running all day and I go to the store and come back out and turn it over Every time it is below 14 volts and at the bottom of the safe zone no matter when I try to start it in the cold. Any help would be great!

Thanks guys!

[NavyDood]

That is normal operation. When it is that cold the batteries supply all of the power to the truck for the first two minutes of idling (not to exceed 150 seconds) or until you get above 20mph. It's Dodge's way of protecting the electrical system.

Good luck with the redtops. They have never lasted for me in three different vehicles.

[500mag_guy]

Originally Posted by NavyDood

That is normal operation. When it is that cold the batteries supply all of the power to the truck for the first two minutes of idling (not to exceed 150 seconds) or until you get above 20mph. It's Dodge's way of protecting the electrical system.

Good luck with the redtops. They have never lasted for me in three different vehicles.

Thank you much for the quick reply. And i havr had red tops in my last two trucks and i was extremely impressed hopefully these treat me good too. Lol