power question

[gibblegeibel]

i just put a volt gauge in my car to see how bad my audio system drops the voltage. it is hooked up at the amp

i have

1 cerwin vega stroker 122 12

1 hifonics brutus brz 1700.1

stock alternator

deka Intimidator 9A34M AGM Marine Battery

stock wiring up front. soon big 3 upgrade.

0 gauge power wire not sure brand got it from local shop

0 gauge audio pipe ground wire

my car's resting voltage before the system hits it is 14 volts, yet when the system hits it drops to around 12 volts which is better than what i was expecting.

what would you guys recommend for getting a better power? another battery?

[Wicks]

Any system should have:

-HO Alt

-Big 3 (sufficient wire to the Alt)
-Extra battery on the amp(s)

[WastedTalent]

x2 on what Wicks said. He's very knowledgable without a doubt.

But adding onto what he said, 12 volts is good. I mean you don't want to sustain that forever while playing music obviously but if your dippin below 12, ever, that's practically an immediate sign of stop and upgrade your electrical asap.

I know my amp has seen 12 volts once and that was for about 3 seconds total. I turned it down and let it get back up to at least 12.7 haha. All I can do is wait.

But def get a h/o alt and upgrade the wiring... that'll help keep you above 12.

[Wicks]

Sure, dropping to 12V is not necessarily bad BUT...

OP you just said "volt gauge"; I assume that's a common digit meter?

If so then it gives you an average reading of your voltage.

In that case your peak drop is most likely below 12V.

Check out the videos on the SMD VM-1 for more detail and info.

Very innovative product that shows you exactly what your voltage is doing (without an o-scope).

[WastedTalent]

Sure, dropping to 12V is not necessarily bad BUT...

OP you just said "volt gauge"; I assume that's a common digit meter?

If so then it gives you an average reading of your voltage.

In that case your peak drop is most likely below 12V.

Check out the videos on the SMD VM-1 for more detail and info.

Very innovative product that shows you exactly what your voltage is doing (without an o-scope).

See what I mean? Sometimes, I don't like you Wicks... too knowledgable haha. Make me feel dumb. But no, really, Wicks is the man. Very knowledgable and always there to help. No doubt a great dude. Listen to him and you shall be fine.

[gibblegeibel]

no its a volt gauge that you would get from autozone

[Trey_Dog650]

Is it a digital readout??

[Wicks]

no its a volt gauge that you would get from autozone

Ahhh, as in with a manual needle?

I would be suspicious of the accuracy with one of those.

That may be an analog meter (as is the VM-1) , but its response time won't be fast enough to pick up peak voltage drops (similar to a digital meter that averages).