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Thread: Amp voltage, please help |
    
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| Posted on Sunday, July 04, 2004 - 04:00 pm: |
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I am looking to research into an amp and was wondering which figures to look at... should I be basing the amp's power (watt) output on 12.5V OR 14.4V?
I also do not plan on running my system with my engine off for a prolonged period of time. |
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Bronze Member Username: Iamduff_87
Michigan
America!
Post Number: 81
Registered: May-04
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| Posted on Sunday, July 04, 2004 - 04:08 pm: |
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im no expert but here is the info i have gathered from other experts. im pretty sure this is mostly correct. while the car is off your amp should be recieving 12 v. while the car is on idle is should be around 13.8 - 14.2 and when above idle it should be 14.4. also i have heard cars differ in their idle voltage so could be closer to 14.4 anyway on idle.
if im wrong someone please help this guy if not then im happy i could help. |
Gold Member Username: Glasswolf
NorthWest,
Michigan
USA
Post Number: 3723
Registered: Dec-03
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| Posted on Sunday, July 04, 2004 - 05:38 pm: |
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at idle the car usually sits at 12.5 volts.
above about 900RPM, you'll be between 13.8 and 14.4V depending on the alternator.
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| Posted on Sunday, July 04, 2004 - 05:47 pm: |
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So, when buying an amp, should I be looking at 12.5 or 14.4 V? (Should I buy an amp that meets the speaker's RMS wattage at 12.5V or 14.4?) |
Gold Member Username: Glasswolf
NorthWest,
Michigan
USA
Post Number: 3727
Registered: Dec-03
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| Posted on Sunday, July 04, 2004 - 05:51 pm: |
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it won't make a big difference. if you want to be safe, match the speaker RMS to the amp @ 14 volts.
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Silver Member Username: Davids2004
Houston,
TX
USA
Post Number: 215
Registered: Jun-04
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| Posted on Sunday, July 04, 2004 - 08:49 pm: |
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Some amps even rate it at 13.8 volts now. I know orion does that. Yea do the 14.4 volt and the rms wattage at 13.8 wont be much lower. |
Gold Member Username: Glasswolf
NorthWest,
Michigan
USA
Post Number: 3731
Registered: Dec-03
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| Posted on Sunday, July 04, 2004 - 09:54 pm: |
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amps with a regulated power supply put out the same power regardless of input voltage (within reason) so most amps will tell you if the power supply is regulated or unregulated.
JL's slash series for example, are regulated.
this helps avoid clipping by maintaining steady voltage rails.
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Silver Member Username: Davids2004
Houston,
TX
USA
Post Number: 219
Registered: Jun-04
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| Posted on Sunday, July 04, 2004 - 10:20 pm: |
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Also xtant amps have regulated power supply thing also. |
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