What voltage is too low?

[Da64u 10+ year member]

With the car running but no music playing my voltage at sub amp is 14.2 and then playing test tones it drops to 11.1..

I'm going to upgrade from 4 Guage to 0 soon =/

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[Umbra]

With the car running but no music playing my voltage at sub amp is 14.2 and then playing test tones it drops to 11.1..
I'm going to upgrade from 4 Guage to 0 soon =/

That's insanely low. I don't know the exact number, but I'd think more like 12 - 12.5 minimum when running. The big 3 might help, but I'd suggest looking at a high output alternator if you don't already have one. That system's going to demand a lot of power, more than your alt can handle, evidently.

 

[Da64u 10+ year member]

That's insanely low. I don't know the exact number, but I'd think more like 12 - 12.5 minimum when running. The big 3 might help, but I'd suggest looking at a high output alternator if you don't already have one. That system's going to demand a lot of power, more than your alt can handle, evidently.

I'm hoping it's because I'm using a $5 multimeter..

 

[csu87 10+ year member]

its because you have a 2kw+ amp on a stock electrical with 4 gauge wiring.

do some research, and invest in electrical upgrades before you have to buy a new amp

 

[Roland 10+ year member]

Test tones and music are 2 completely different demands on power.

I just play some hard hitting music and watch the voltage. I run Kolossus Fleks 4ga to my Class D amps with less than 0.3 Voltage drop(never dropping below !4 volts). But a test tone will drop it waaay down.

 

[Dmac1991]

most amps are able to run from 10-16v. So if they are seeing anything in that range, I'd say you're fine.

Now 11.1 volts to that Hifonics, that's terrible.

But if you're talking Sundown, Audioque, DD, X-Fire, etc. . . . type amps then 10-16v is acceptable, still wanting to err on the side of caution.

Upgrade that electrical, or atleast turn down your gain until you have less horrible voltage drop