Voltage

[BMG 10+ year member]

As everyone knows voltage from your car depends a lot on what your system puts out.

My question is this: My Jeep Grand Cherokee Laredo(1996) has a voltage meter in the dash... When the engine is running it hovers just barely into the mark that is 14 volts. When its[the engine] not running it hovers a little less than half way between the 9 and 14 volt marks. How accurate is this guage? And does this affect my stereo? I mean, is my amp going to be running at what this guage says? or is there going to be a difference?

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[paikiah 5,000+ posts]

The meter is not very accurate. Analogue gauges usually can't give a precise readout.

You need a digital volt meter, much like the one dustin and david@teampsi has.

 

[BMG 10+ year member]

ok, i understand that part... its the same as anything measured in analog vs the same thing measured in digital.... But far as an amp for my system is concerned, does the guage measure at the correct point in the system? meaning, does it measure the amperage directly from the alternator, or is it down the "line" enough to measure it at a point that takes all the power draw from the whole car electrical system?