Voltage on spec/birth sheets

[95Prober 10+ year member]

Hi guys

I seen on some spec sheets where some companies test their amps at 14.4 and others at 13.8. Which of two would be more accurate in an avergae car and would the amp tested at 13.8V, be underrated, specs wise, slightly due to less voltage? thx

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[tc300 10+ year member]

amps are under rated on how good there built.... also if there testd at 12v. the 13.8 is average.

 

[squeak9798 5,000+ posts]

Hi guysI seen on some spec sheets where some companies test their amps at 14.4 and others at 13.8. Which of two would be more accurate in an avergae car

I wouldn't worry about it since the difference in output in an unregulated amplifier due to a .6V variance in voltage wouldn't be enough to matter.

and would the amp tested at 13.8V, be underrated, specs wise, slightly due to less voltage?

That's going to depend on how tightly regulated the power supply is. A tightly regulated amplifier tested at 13.8V may gain nothing by going up to 14.4V input. Likewise, a tightly regulated amplifier tested at 14.4V may lose nothing going down to 13.8V

But as to "underrating" of an unregulated amplifier......If the amplifier was rated for 100w @ 13.8V, and it tests to be 100w @ 13.8V, I wouldn't consider that amplifier to be under or overrated. Sure, going up to 14.4V may gain a little in output, but dropping down to 12.5V would lose some in output. So if we tested at 12.5V would we call the amplifier "overrated"? No, because it tested to do exactly as specified; 100w @ 13.8V