Do i need to upgrade my alternator to get to 14.4v?

That can be a couple things. Are your power and ground wires sufficient size? Do you have the Big 3" done? If those are good then you might need to upgrade your charging system.
I dont have the big 3 done. can that be the reason why? if so do i need to upgrade my alternator if i do the big 3?
 
What vehicle is it in? If its the 95 cherokee, it could be a bad voltage regulator on your alternator. If you have an older one (and you don't NEED to upgrade it), the voltage regulators can go bad when the brushes wear down. They would be a fraction of the cost of a new alt, and are usually the easiest thing to rebuild, (and the easiest thing to qualify as a "rebuilt alternator"). On mine it was $40 vs $180 for an alt, and two screws to swap it out.

Some newer vehicles, up to the last 15 years or so, depending on the make and model, 13v might be what it's supposed to do.
 
Last edited:
What does voltage measure when you have the volume turned up?
If it stays in the 13v range then you are good.
NO, there is some missing information here to determine that. We need to know the vehicle, and If OP is running 13v with it completely off too. 13v running is too low if it's supposed to be 14.4v. If it's a newer vehicle, up to the last 15 years or so, (depending on the make and model), 13v might be what it's supposed to do. If not, then there is a problem before the stereo.
 
Last edited:
If the bass is hitting and his voltage is dropping he needs an hoa, a high current battery and you gotta be running some decent gauge wire.
No. He definitely did not need to upgrade the battery for 850 watts (59 amps). He did it thinking it would improve the voltage. The voltage regulator controls the voltage. On older vehicles the alt controls the voltage with it's internal voltage regulator. On newer vehicles the voltage is externally regulated by an ECU. Depends on the make/model/year. Op has not said what vehicle it is on, and so we don't know how the voltage is regulated yet.

OP has also NOT SAID whether or not that 13v is a constant steady, whether or not the stereo is even on, or whether they were talking about when the bass hits.

All we know is they upgraded the battery. That wasn't going to effect the voltage, and it wasn't needed for 850 watts.
 
Last edited:
The big 3 makes sure you have the least resistance on power coming from the alternator to the battery and the ground needed to secure the loop.
What vehicle is it in? If its the 95 cherokee, it could be a bad voltage regulator on your alternator. If you have an older one (and you don't NEED to upgrade it), the voltage regulators can go bad when the brushes wear down. They would be a fraction of the cost of a new alt, and are usually the easiest thing to rebuild, (and the easiest thing to qualify as a "rebuilt alternator"). On mine it was $40 vs $180 for an alt, and two screws to swap it out.

Some newer vehicles, up to the last 15 years or so, depending on the make and model, 13v might be what it's supposed to do.
2014 toyota tacoma
 
Activity
No one is currently typing a reply...

Similar threads

No not needed. The difference in gain on the amplifier would not draw more power from the battery. Still yet efficient. The gain in volts is a...
7
1K
they don"t have anything for the G8, and my problem with the install kit is the hvac part. i dont like the physical controls on it, hard to operate
4
1K
Not that I like shilling my own sales but I have a badass digital designs 5channel for sale in the classifieds. One of the largest available...
8
2K
What Vehicle do you have? Have you done the Big 3 or any other Electrical upgrades other than just Plane Stock Alternator and under the hood...
3
867

About this thread

yobertss

CarAudio.com Newbie
Thread starter
yobertss
Joined
Location
hawaii
Start date
Participants
Who Replied
Replies
55
Views
4,517
Last reply date
Last reply from
Carlos1son
IMG_0632.jpg

just call me KeV

    Apr 19, 2024
  • 0
  • 0
IMG_0629.jpg

just call me KeV

    Apr 19, 2024
  • 0
  • 0

Latest topics

Top