n00b question about volts

[brafferty]

i was just looking at some amps online, and they have different ratings at different volts. My question is, how do i know what mine are? is it something i need to test or is that just based off the HU like setting gains

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[adulbrich 5,000+ posts]

Like 12v, 13.2v, and 14.4v or something? That's referring to the input voltages of your power supply, not the signal from your headunit.

Amps usually make more power if your electrical system can maintain a higher voltage. An amp will produce more power at 14.4v than 12v.

 

[brafferty]

Like 12v, 13.2v, and 14.4v or something? That's referring to the input voltages of your power supply, not the signal from your headunit.
Amps usually make more power if your electrical system can maintain a higher voltage. An amp will produce more power at 14.4v than 12v.

gotcha, so its something i would need to test to know properly

 

[Eggroll]

gotcha, so its something i would need to test to know properly

clear your inbox! and you can measure your voltage with a multimeter on dc mode (on the V) then put the leads on your battery, then turn your car on, put loads on it (lights, AUDIO, ac, etc)

 

[adulbrich 5,000+ posts]

gotcha, so its something i would need to test to know properly

Ummmm, no. It;s not really important for you to test it right now.

They are different voltages that amps are tested at. One company may rate their amp at 12v. These companies make amps that may be considered by some people to be "underrated", because they clamp more power than they're rated for when ran on a 12v system that is actually around 14.4v charging.

Say amp A was rated 1,000 watts RMS at 12v and amp B was rated 1,000 watts RMS at 14.4v. Amp A will put out more power on 14.4v than amp B. Amp A may do 1,250-1,500.

Lots of companies rate their amps at different voltages. Most ratings are BS anyways, and you won't see the full potential after rise unless you wire lower than rated.

 

[Eggroll]

gotcha, so its something i would need to test to know properly

Get one of these bro

http://www.amazon.com/Stinger-SVMB-Voltage-Gauge-Discontinued/dp/B001HEE8IS

hook it up to your amp with long, high gauge wiring, and you get to see your amps v so you know if you're beating it too hard for your electrical

 

[n2audio 5,000+ posts]

All you really need to know is -

A healthy battery rests at around 12.6v. That is roughly the voltage you'll see with the engine off.

A healthy alternator runs at 13.8-14.4v. That is what you should get with the engine on.

It really doesn't matter if your alt runs at 13.9 or 14.5. It's not enough variance to change the amp's output significantly.

Install it right - play it - enjoy.