12v or 14.4v?

[Jakerrr 10+ year member]

How can I tell what voltage my system is running at?

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[Falcons 5,000+ posts]

use a dmm. place the positive on the positive and the negative on the negative and it will tell you. and just to let you know, 12 volt systems run at 14.4.

 

[Jakerrr 10+ year member]

So unless something is wrong it's probably 14.4?

 

[mast240 10+ year member]

12v and 14.4v are the same thing... 12v systems charge at around 14.4, so while running it should be up in the high 13's/low 14's, and then at rest, it should read mid 12's.... i think you may be confusing it with a 16v system

 

[Kangaroux 5,000+ posts]

Newer vehicles charge at 14.4v. Older vehicles charge at around 13.8. Keep in mind the voltage the alternator puts out and the voltage your battery rests at are different. The alt charges at 13.8/14.4, and the battery typically rests between 12.7 and 13v. If your battery is 12.4v or lower I would get it tested at your local auto parts store. A dying battery strains your alternator

 

[Jakerrr 10+ year member]

Well I was looking at an amp and the rms ratings were different for 12 and 14.4 volts. Would 12 just be with the car off or something?

 

[mast240 10+ year member]

the main reason they rate at 12 & 14, is because everyone tries to stay at 14 when running, but most will get voltage drop... so, it gives you an idea of what the amp will do "ideally", and what it will do realisticly... unless you're ready to pour alot of money into your charging system to keep voltage continuous at 14.4 (which i would advise, if you've got the coin)

 

[Kangaroux 5,000+ posts]

Well I was looking at an amp and the rms ratings were different for 12 and 14.4 volts. Would 12 just be with the car off or something?

Depending on the amp and your electrical, dont even look at the 14.4 rating. That is assuming you can keep your voltage stable at 14.4 while music is playing which is hardly the case.

 

[HighTQCummins 10+ year member]

at first when reading this, I thought he was getting confused on the XS power batts, majority of them are 12v but then there are the few 14v batts they sell too. which confuses me too

 

[mast240 10+ year member]

at first when reading this, I thought he was getting confused on the XS power batts, majority of them are 12v but then there are the few 14v batts they sell too. which confuses me too

those batts have a 14v resting voltage... and can be used in either a 12v or 16v system

 

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Depending on the amp and your electrical, dont even look at the 14.4 rating. That is assuming you can keep your voltage stable at 14.4 while music is playing which is hardly the case.

Stop repeating me jesse!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Jakerrr 10+ year member]

Depending on the amp and your electrical, dont even look at the 14.4 rating. That is assuming you can keep your voltage stable at 14.4 while music is playing which is hardly the case.

So if they don't list the discrepancy of 14.4 and 12 what does the wrms rating refer to? 14.4v?

 

[mast240 10+ year member]

So if they don't list the discrepancy of 14.4 and 12 what does the wrms rating refer to? 14.4v?

that is a big problem with the industry right now, is the the rating standards that are used... almost all amps are rated at 14.4 or a lil higher, as to be able to say they "do rated" at a higher wattage... but in real life, they will never see.... unless your running a batt bank, and a couple alts...

but short answer, if it doesnt say what voltage it was rated at, then yes, it's 99% going to be at 14.4

 

[Kangaroux 5,000+ posts]

those batts have a 14v resting voltage... and can be used in either a 12v or 16v system 

---------- Post added at 10:14 AM ---------- Previous post was at 10:14 AM ----------

 

Stop repeating me jesse!!!!!!!!!!

*** you write too fast lol

 

[mast240 10+ year member]

you write too slow fucker