Let's talk voltage drops

[Drumbc]

Ok so I have 2 sundown sa 15's in a custom box running on a dsp3k I've got good grounds good wire everything is good I have a 117 amp alr and just 1 battery, I have voltage drops and bad voltage drops today is the first day I looked at the volt meter on the amp it dropped to 10.0 and the amp flashed for warning and then voltage instantly went back up to 13.3 then down again to 10.2....... Is this damaging my amp ? I'm not clipping on these voltage drops just dropping way to low. What's your best suggestion for a 18 year old who is flat broke but needs to at least get his voltage back up I don't have money for second battery I wish I did what can I do my head lights and interior lights completely almost go off.

Click to read more...

 

[afearlesshunter]

Vehicle? Does it have some form of an ELD?

 

[C1500martin 10+ year member]

Ive got a free solution.

LOWER YOUR GAIN and DONT turn it back up untill you have money for a HO alt

 

[Drumbc]

I doubt it had a eld it is a 1999 jeep Cherokee, the thing is it just starting doing this today when I cranked it up...... I had voltage drops to about 11.8 was the lowest ever but today it randomly started dropping to 10.0 and that range, I changed nothing

 

[michaellane 5,000+ posts]

Yes lower ypur gain it is clipping when voltage is that low. Yes its bad for your amp. At 18 someone should have told you 1 batt isnt enough for 3k with a stock alt. This isnt how it works. Save your pennies and get yourself a good batt. It takes time but turn down the gain a good amoint until then

 

[The Camry]

Yes lower ypur gain it is clipping when voltage is that low. Yes its bad for your amp. At 18 someone should have told you 1 batt isnt enough for 3k with a stock alt. This isnt how it works. Save your pennies and get yourself a good batt. It takes time but turn down the gain a good amoint until then

how does clipping happen at low voltage? Curious.

 

[adulbrich 5,000+ posts]

What do your batteries rest at with the car off?

If voltage drop is getting worse without you doing anything different, a component may be going out because it's stressed.

 

[Drumbc]

It runs 13.5 after it has warmed up, and it tells me when it clips and I also put a oscope on it today and it never squared off when dropping to 10.0. What could be causing it what would be most likely to have weakened due to stress

 

[adulbrich 5,000+ posts]

Is 13.5 with the car on or off? I'm talking about with the car off. Do you have problems starting your car? Might have missed it, but have you done the "big 3"?

Battery or alternator could be going out from stress. If your batteries aren't floating at a good voltage and you have problems starting your car, I'd say batteries.

If your alternator only charges up to 13.5v, I'd say the regulator could be going out or possibly a diode. Best case scenario, something could be loose. If your alternator goes out, you should invest in a high-output one. 3k should probably be run with a HO alt anyways..

 

[The Camry]

http://www.caraudio.com/forums/general-discussion/618684-so-why-low-volts-bad.html. 13.5 is rather low. should be low 14s.

 

[xr650jkallen]

Mine also just started dropping more than usual. I've been banging on my alternator pretty hard for the last 6 months and it's got 160k miles on it, so I'm expecting it to go and give me a reason to get a ho one. Mine still charges at 14.4 but it's taking the regulator longer to kick in on voltage drops. I can't run multiple batteries in the stock class, so I just set my gains with the truck not running and set them a hair below where they should be on good voltage. Aren't the taramps rated down to 10v ??

 

[xr650jkallen]

Also where are you measuring voltage??? Front or at the amp?

 

[michaellane 5,000+ posts]

http://www.caraudio.com/forums/general-discussion/618684-so-why-low-volts-bad.html. 13.5 is rather low. should be low 14s.

13.5 is more than fine. My jeep never sees 14 volts. Just how its made

 

[Popwarhomie 5,000+ posts]

Its a DSP3k. It doesn't allow over 1% clip. Also has voltage meter built into the amp.

Sounds like you batt is dying.

 

[adulbrich 5,000+ posts]

13.5 is more than fine. My jeep never sees 14 volts. Just how its made

I like to run a higher voltage for efficiency. I like 15.0 flat. Under 14, and I start getting nervous. I know, I know, it takes a lot more drop than that to damage things.

If it's supposed to be less than 14v stock, there isn't an "issue" really. It's just not ideal for maximum audio efficiency