Is this harming my Alt

[bradl79 10+ year member]

when i play my music at the amount i normally play at and the car is on and idle, no lights or headlinghts, my voltage is about 14.1, with all lights on and high beam and headlights on, voltage is about 13.7 or 13.8. now this is only being idle, will i be ok, or will i need to tone down my gains? Thank you

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[jrdnhsnbrg 10+ year member]

when i play my music at the amount i normally play at and the car is on and idle, no lights or headlinghts, my voltage is about 14.1, with all lights on and high beam and headlights on, voltage is about 13.7 or 13.8. now this is only being idle, will i be ok, or will i need to tone down my gains? Thank you

If you're not dropping below 12.6 you should be fine

 

[bradl79 10+ year member]

will it decrease by appling gas? like going about 3000 rpms?

 

[jrdnhsnbrg 10+ year member]

will it decrease by appling gas? like going about 3000 rpms?

Yes, your alternator will put out more power at higher RPM than it will at idle

 

[Staynlean 10+ year member]

Yes, your alternator will put out more power at higher RPM than it will at idle[/quoteHowever, it will only put out more power at start up or when cold and the. The internal regulator will kick in and stop the increase in voltage that you may see with your DMM.
Have you done your big 3? Is your bat good and what's the amperage on your alt? we need to know more.

 

[bradl79 10+ year member]

big 3 done, battery is good, and i was told my alt has 108 amperage

 

[Staynlean 10+ year member]

big 3 done, battery is good, and i was told my alt has 108 amperage

Gains are not a volume knob or power control setting. The gain on the amp is there to match the output of the head unit to the amp. It's not something that should be adjusted unless something in the vehicles electrical system is changed, I.e. Battery, big3, alt, or power supply wiring. Set the gain (use the search function on here) using a 50hz test tone at 0db. Engine cranked and warmed up (so wait for at least 2~3mins) and then do the procedure.
Gains settings do not ever change, some amps given proper electrical and good input voltage will not need to be set any farther than 1/4- 1/2 to see full output power from the Amp. Any more would introduce clipping and same for any less.

Gain is only to match the output power from the source to the input power to the amp, it is NOT a power setting!

 

[bradl79 10+ year member]

i had used an Oscope to set my gains, i will try it again when engine warms up, b/c i did do it while it was cold, thank you for all the help and info everyone