14.4 or 14.1 volts for your stereo?
Printed From: the12volt.com
Forum Name: Car Audio
Forum Discription: Car Stereos, Amplifiers, Crossovers, Processors, Speakers, Subwoofers, etc.
URL: https://www.the12volt.com/installbay/forum_posts.asp?tid=25059
Printed Date: May 19, 2024 at 12:41 AM
Topic: 14.4 or 14.1 volts for your stereo?
Posted By: xTimx
Subject: 14.4 or 14.1 volts for your stereo?
Date Posted: January 22, 2004 at 2:06 AM
sorry i just seen the same Q before, but i drive a 91' cavalier z24. i am already running my deck, and a RF 400s for my subs, i'm getting another amp, a 550x to run my 3.5's and 6x9's would i need another battery or high output alt. also, how would you go about getting 14.4 or 14.1 volts for your stereo.
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xTimx
Replies:
Posted By: boomer_106
Date Posted: January 22, 2004 at 2:29 AM
Your alternator will put out the 14.4 volts. Take the wattage of your amps and divide by the volts and that should tell ya roughly how much amperage you will need. I have no idea how many amps a cavalier alternator is coming from the factory.
Posted By: pureRF
Date Posted: January 22, 2004 at 3:18 PM
I have a battery that is not that new and its stock, my system runs at 14-14.4 almost all the time.
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dream it, build it, fiberglass it
Posted By: speedwayaudio1
Date Posted: January 22, 2004 at 4:19 PM
voltage is fine it needs to be 12-15 volts for all your audio to work, but amphers (current) are what is more important. you need an alt that will put out 200 amps about a 100 for your audio and a 100 for the rest of your car, a/c, fans, headlights, etc. you can't have to much power. and a good fresh batt. you don't have to spend a mint on a batt. I run dura last batt from autozone. good price and 2 years later it's still gr8.
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Big Dave
Posted By: rbbrink
Date Posted: January 22, 2004 at 6:00 PM
The charging system voltage will vary depending on the amp draw. The alt. is capable of putting out high volts at low amps and high amps at a lower voltage. With your car running and very little load the system voltage should be about 14.4 volts. Start adding loads like lights, A/C, stereo, ect. the system voltage will drop with amp draw. When the system voltage drops below 12.6 (static charge on a good battery) you have past the llimits of your charging system,drawing power from the battery and are running your alt at its max. Keep in mind that with more volts it takes less amps to do the same amount of work. Amps = Heat! The more volts you can have available to the stereo the better and cooler it will operate. Upgrade your charging system if you can and use a good battery.
Posted By: customsuburb
Date Posted: January 22, 2004 at 9:17 PM
Use a good quality battery from Stinger or Optima. Stinger I know makes ones that arnt that expensive.
Posted By: jeffchilcott
Date Posted: January 22, 2004 at 9:48 PM
realistically i dont see the need to replace anything on this car. the 90-94 cavilier has a pretty good output to start i have had an alpine 1507 running inside one of these cars this amp has a 70 amp current draw at peak. Also ran (2) rockford 800a2's at a diffrent time, i really idnt have that much trouble. besides sitting at a light and having minor current draw issues, minor light dimming. But not to the point that is was a hazard or bothering
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Posted By: xTimx
Date Posted: January 23, 2004 at 12:48 AM
ok sweet! thanx guys for the input you have been a GREAT help! :) much appreciated!
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