Can I see how many volts a head unit is putting out with a DMM?

[GlocksRock 10+ year member]

My girlfriend has a Pioneer headunit and it seems as though the voltage output from the RCAs is very weak. Is there a way to test the voltage with my DMM? If so, what setting do I use, and what volume level should I use when testing?

Click to read more...

 

[dman4486 5,000+ posts]

My girlfriend has a Pioneer headunit and it seems as though the voltage output from the RCAs is very weak. Is there a way to test the voltage with my DMM? If so, what setting do I use, and what volume level should I use when testing?

yes. use VAC and test between the center pin and shielding.

volume would have to be at your listening max and playing a tone for "max" voltage or something dynamic for a real time reading

 

[GlocksRock 10+ year member]

Thanks! I'm not sure what you mean by between the center pin and shielding though... do I put one lead on the center pin, and one on the round part?

 

[dman4486 5,000+ posts]

Thanks! I'm not sure what you mean by between the center pin and shielding though... do I put one lead on the center pin, and one on the round part?

yes....the "round part" attaches to the shielding in the rca itself and is effectively the ground.

 

[GlocksRock 10+ year member]

Thanks, I will check it out when I get home. I put my old amp in her car and it's barely making her subs bump when it used to make mine slam. I purchased a line driver from someone here on the forum, so hopefully that will take care of the issue.