Understanding the battery current waveform

autodoc · Post by **autodoc** » Thu Jun 03, 2021 11:23 am

So I purchased my scope a while ago but I'm now going through the basics with it. I was told that after the car starts and runs you should see a net current of 3 to 5 amps, but what I'm seeing is -26 amps. How does -26 amps equate to 3 to 5 amps?

The vehicle is a 2019 nissan sentra and the battery is relatively new. I'm using the Pico2205A 2 channel scope with imported presets from Pico 6 automotive software, and the TA167 current probe.

Please help, anyone!

liviu2004 · Post by **liviu2004** » Thu Jun 03, 2021 8:23 pm

Who told you that? Fun stuff. Did you believe it actually?

Grant_Baker · Post by **Grant_Baker** » Thu Jun 03, 2021 10:12 pm

autodoc wrote: ↑
Thu Jun 03, 2021 11:23 am
I was told that after the car starts and runs you should see a net current of 3 to 5 amps, but what I'm seeing is -26 amps. How does -26 amps equate to 3 to 5 amps?

This spec doesn't make any sense out of context. All I can say is review this charging system video with Pete Meier and Vince Fischelli:

https://youtu.be/4EFzX3SN6ck

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