Quick voltage question....

[kaimana 10+ year member]

Ok so i measured my voltage while pushing my subs.....it starts at almost 13.5v and it stays up around 12.5v..while the car is running...is this alright? I was trying to set the gains a little bit better than just by ear......this is with 4awg and a regular battery oh and a cap(don't tease me..lol...had it laying around and figured might as well use it).....You think my readings were off or is that correct?? Also is that much of a drop going to hurt or is it only if it drops below the recommended volts that matters?

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[Alpineforever 10+ year member]

12.5 is getting close to the danger zone, but from my experience your amp will be fine as long as you don't drop too much lower. Is this car off or car on?

 

[Tacosys 10+ year member]

12.5 is getting close to the danger zone, but from my experience your amp will be fine as long as you don't drop too much lower. Is this car off or car on?

12.5 is fine, what do you consider the danger zone?

 

[terra 5,000+ posts]

12.5 is fine, what do you consider the danger zone?

anything under 12.5. i dont like my amp even getting in the 12s. something about having 4k is that id kinda like to keep it around...

 

[kaimana 10+ year member]

It was running....I'm about to upgrade the big 3 and wires to 0awg in a week or so though....would that help a lot?

 

[Alpineforever 10+ year member]

It won't not help

Some cars see more of a gain in voltage then other cars, but it will definitely make ur cars charging system more efficient, how much mroe eficient in terms of voltage is hard to say.

I consider 11.9 and under to be a danger zone for me, if I reach that with the car off that is the point when I turn the car on... whether or not any damage is being done to my amp, I don't know, but I'd prefer to not take any chances, I know when I'm at 13.5+ that I'm fine... just my mindset, I messed up one amp with low voltage and I just overkill now i guess

 

[kaimana 10+ year member]

K, so would a second battery help a lot?

 

[simpsonbuck 10+ year member]

Anything under 12.2 volts is pushing it.

If the car is not running 12.8 volts are perfect.

 

[patotay 10+ year member]

the big 3 will help.. with the alternator running"engine on" the floating voltage should be higher?

 

[missinglink 10+ year member]

Your factory set point is around 14v as things heat up this will drop to or / below 13.6v. I like to see no less than 13.6v while playing. Mine plays 18,000watts full tilt and stays above 14v stable. I read you have a ford right. Fords are strong alternators in general and handle 15+ volts no problem. You are having the common problem. Your vehicles computer controls the signal to the alts regulator and limits and/or caps your alts voltage output. This puts out the same signal for stock or aftermarket alternators.

MLA

 

[kaimana 10+ year member]

Your factory set point is around 14v as things heat up this will drop to or / below 13.6v. I like to see no less than 13.6v while playing. Mine plays 18,000watts full tilt and stays above 14v stable. I read you have a ford right. Fords are strong alternators in general and handle 15+ volts no problem. You are having the common problem. Your vehicles computer controls the signal to the alts regulator and limits and/or caps your alts voltage output. This puts out the same signal for stock or aftermarket alternators.
MLA

So is there a way to change the computer controls to raise the limit?

 

[kaimana 10+ year member]

Ok i upgraded just the power wire so far....My voltage now sits at 14.5 and drops only to about 13.7....I'm planning on doing the big 3 today....anyone with an expedition do their big 3? My alt sits underneath a lot of shit...lol...