14.4 volts?

[Justinw303 10+ year member]

Is that how many volts the average vehicle's electrical system puts out? I was trying to compare a few amps, and all the wattage ratings for them were based on 14.4 input voltages. I don't know too much about cars, so I asked my dad and he said my truck is only putting out about 12 volts or so.

If I can't get 14.4 volts, how much will that affect the wattage of my amp?

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[stones 10+ year member]

Get a digital multimeter (there like 20bucks) and set it to DC voltage now touch the positive and negative to the battery terminals while the engine is running, this will tell you what you're charging voltage is.

As for the wattage difference it depends on the amp, its efficiency and weather it has a regulated power supply or not. JL amps for example put out the same power at 12 or 14volts due to its regulated power supply.

 

[stones 10+ year member]

^Post # 300

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[LBX2G 10+ year member]

no. alot of cars do not put out 14.4 volt. They but out more than likely 13.2 or 13.8 volts on an average at idle. That is without ur headlights and ur ac running. Now with all that other stuff running like is just said it will go down conciderably (sp?). But 14.4 is kinda what the amps want to be happy. You could call it an industry norm. Do not get me wrong ur amp can operate at 12 volts but it will get pissed.

also what kinda truck do u have.

 

[Justinw303 10+ year member]

'90 F-150

And the amp I'm looking at is an Audiobahn A4002T. How many watts will I lose?

 

[Chevyaudio 5,000+ posts]

your truck is putting out more than 12 volts. 12 v. is when the car is turned off. Whith the car on you will have anywhere between 13.8-14.4 which is more than enough for that amp.

 

[Shyne151 10+ year member]

Get a digital multimeter (there like 20bucks) and set it to DC voltage now touch the positive and negative to the battery terminals while the engine is running, this will tell you what you're charging voltage is.As for the wattage difference it depends on the amp, its efficiency and weather it has a regulated power supply or not. JL amps for example put out the same power at 12 or 14volts due to its regulated power supply.

Or for $3 at harbor freight //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/smile.gif.1ebc41e1811405b213edfc4622c41e27.gif