Car voltage monitor reads 14.4v with engine on, 11.4v in accessory mode… Concerned about low voltage because plan to power front only dash camera in parking mode via CellLink Neo external battery pack and cig charger (to avoid hardwiring)…

2019 RDX Basic Tech, odometer @ 3,000 miles, driven twice weekly, short trips…

 

Could be because of the short running time. If your short trips aren't long enough to get the car up to temp, then you're probably not giving the alternator enough time to get the battery back up to 12v. Try starting the car a couple of times a week and let it get up to temp. That combined with the couple of trips a week you make should be enough to keep the battery topped up. If it doesn't, I would have the dealership double check that everything with the charging system is good. If that checks out, trickle charge it.

 

Thank you, will do ...

 

If you do make frequent short trips, such that the temperature gauge does not reach "normal" for 5-10 minutes, this advice is important for other reasons.

1) It will prevent oil dilution in the DI engine, since the gasoline will evaporate out of the oil at higher temperatures.

2) The water vapor in the exhaust gases will condense into an acidic liquid on a cold exhaust system and rust out the muffler and pipes from the inside. Once the muffler and pipes get hot, they are more likely to keep the exhaust in a gaseous form and let it pass out through the tailpipe.

 

I see, thank you!

 

Update: I let the engine run to hot on the highway, reading on return was 12.4v in acc mode...

At least it's in positive territory again...

Guess I should run it more often and for longer distances, and continue monitoring...

 

Yeah then it was definitely a lack of usage. The alternator can only put so much juice back into the battery at a time. So you can either just take it out for a good 30-45 min joyride an extra day a week or get a trickle charger to hook up to the battery on the days you're not driving it.