Amp Spec Question, please Help

[hondaracer1976 10+ year member]

Hi, i have a question: When i look at an Amp's specs, it gives me different power ratings depending on voltage, like: 12V or 14.4V. For example: Amp> 600W x 1@ 2ohms @ 12V or 800W x 1@ 2ohms @ 14.4V

Can I choose which one to use? if so... How? thanks

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[custom suburb 10+ year member]

I would use the 12 volt rating if it is given. It is more accurate then the 14 v rating (your alternator probobly wont output more then 14 volts if you have all of your stuff running). The 14 volt rating is strictly for marketing purposes so the manufacture can make their product look like it outputs more power then it really does.

 

[jinx8402 10+ year member]

No, you can't "choose" which one to use. Most amps put out more power at 14.4v because they are getting more power from your eletrical system. Your electrical system usually puts out 14.4v, unless you don't have the car started then it would only be 12v, so the amp is probably producing 800 watts, as long as it is a reputable company like jl, alpine, ppi and not legacy or pyramid who usually overate their products.

 

[custom suburb 10+ year member]

Your alternator is not going to produce 14.4 volts on average (especially if its a small car). Even with a high output alternator you will not reach 14.4 volts with your system running probobly.

 

[hondaracer1976 10+ year member]

So i guess the 14.4 V is nothing but BS, ok thanks, I'll just pay attention to the 12V. Makes sense.

 

[jinx8402 10+ year member]

when the car is running it is producing 14.4 volts. The battery itself runs at 12 volts, however when the car is running the alternator is recharging the battery plus running everything else that is electrical. In order to do this it has to put out more power than just the 12 volts. My car consistently is above the 14 volt point on my dash. Sometimes its even close to 16 volts. Does this mean my car isn't putting that much out, and that my amp is not getting that much? No. The 14.4 V is not BS. It's just saying that if your amp is recieving 14.4V than that is the power it will produce.

Edit: By the way my electrical system is complete stock, even though its 105 amp alt, but my car has many accesories and power everything

 

[helotaxi 5,000+ posts]

Why doesn't everyone just measure the voltage at their battery with their car on and remember that it MIGHT drop MAYBE half a volt once they install the amp (if they don't already have an amp) ?

What?!? And actually think. That might even involve more effort on their part than just sitting at their computers...

 

[VTEC11 10+ year member]

I measure around 14.2-14.3V on power cable right at the amp. And PPI amps are rated at 12V not 14.4V