Power Thread

[epayne123]

I currently have an AudioQue AQ2200 amp that I would like to run at 14.4v to produce 2200rms. I do not know how to run my amp at 14.4v. Please let me know how to do this, please. If I sound stupid, I have JUST signed up to this forum, thank you.

[basicxj]

Originally Posted by epayne123 I currently have an AudioQue AQ2200 amp that I would like to run at 14.4v to produce 2200rms. I do not know how to run my amp at 14.4v. Please let me know how to do this, please. If I sound stupid, I have JUST signed up to this forum, thank you.

Try the "general" section of the forum.

14.4V is a test standard (research CEA 2006)- your vehicle may not produce a full 14.4V at the alternator, or voltage may even be limited through the vehicle's ECU. Trying to increase voltage from say 13.8V by a slight margin won't produce a noticeable increase your ears will be able to pick up, so don't waste the time and energy.

[benahn7]

your amp will run at whatever voltage is there and it will be 14.4 in most cases until you strat pulling more than your alt can keep up with. where the 14.4 comes from is the chemical reaction in a car battery while being charged not resting. resting means just siting there without the engine runing and no draw there are six cells each stores 2.134 volts but while being charged each cell puts out 2.4 volts if the battery is in good condition 6 times 2.4 = 14.4 put a volt meter on your car and you will see for yourself wow 14.4V is a test standard (research CEA 2006)- your vehicle may not produce a full 14.4V at the alternator where do you get these ideas

[basicxj]

Originally Posted by benahn7 your amp will run at whatever voltage is there and it will be 14.4 in most cases until you strat pulling more than your alt can keep up with. where the 14.4 comes from is the chemical reaction in a car battery while being charged not resting. resting means just siting there without the engine runing and no draw there are six cells each stores 2.134 volts but while being charged each cell puts out 2.4 volts if the battery is in good condition 6 times 2.4 = 14.4 put a volt meter on your car and you will see for yourself wow 14.4V is a test standard (research CEA 2006)- your vehicle may not produce a full 14.4V at the alternator where do you get these ideas

I kid you not .

http://www.cea2006.com/howtomeasure.htm

Excerpt:

Primary Output Power should, according to CEA2006, be measured with 14.4V DC supply, a 4-ohm load and with 1% or less total harmonic distortion in the output. Other specifications included in the standard involve different impedances and supply voltages. This is where the manufacturer can indicate the conditions which make their amplifier perform optimally.

I have put a digital multimeter on my car. Using a digital multimeter, measure the actual resting voltage on a cold (not recently run) regular 12V battery. Measure the same with engine running. Measure the battery again after the engine has been shut down. Measure your amplifier's power wire at the amp's +12V terminal. If you get 14.4V at all of the above, you're a very lucky man.

If I remember right, you were installing a second alternator to better power a mixed bag of amplifiers, right?

[benahn7]

Originally Posted by basicxj I kid you not . http://www.cea2006.com/howtomeasure.htm Excerpt: Primary Output Power should, according to CEA2006, be measured with 14.4V DC supply, a 4-ohm load and with 1% or less total harmonic distortion in the output. Other specifications included in the standard involve different impedances and supply voltages. This is where the manufacturer can indicate the conditions which make their amplifier perform optimally. I have put a digital multimeter on my car. Using a digital multimeter, measure the actual resting voltage on a cold (not recently run) regular 12V battery. Measure the same with engine running. Measure the battery again after the engine has been shut down. Measure your amplifier's power wire at the amp's +12V terminal. If you get 14.4V at all of the above, you're a very lucky man. If I remember right, you were installing a second alternator to better power a mixed bag of amplifiers, right?

yes i did i even posted some pics it was an interesting project i learned a lot that i could share with other people. my local alt rebuild shop was a little lost on what to do because so few people do it. i just ordered two dc audio level 5s 18" they will be runing on two new amps that wont be built untill the end of december. the alt shop i used had an interesting theory or statement they sugested not using any wire larger than 6 guage from alt to batt they claim that they have had a few alts burn out the first diode due to too large of a power wire. i am giving that mixed bunch of amps and speakers away at xmas to some people that can use them. i will post some pics of the dc level 5s around the midle of this month they havnt even been built yet. i am going to get two more of the level fives in jan.

[benahn7]

Originally Posted by basicxj I kid you not . http://www.cea2006.com/howtomeasure.htm Excerpt: Primary Output Power should, according to CEA2006, be measured with 14.4V DC supply, a 4-ohm load and with 1% or less total harmonic distortion in the output. Other specifications included in the standard involve different impedances and supply voltages. This is where the manufacturer can indicate the conditions which make their amplifier perform optimally. I have put a digital multimeter on my car. Using a digital multimeter, measure the actual resting voltage on a cold (not recently run) regular 12V battery. Measure the same with engine running. Measure the battery again after the engine has been shut down. Measure your amplifier's power wire at the amp's +12V terminal. If you get 14.4V at all of the above, you're a very lucky man. If I remember right, you were installing a second alternator to better power a mixed bag of amplifiers, right?

your right as rain on that is what i was trying to say