Amp Ratings

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06-27-2005, 08:26 PM

steve_o1989

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Im looking into getting a Alpine MRD-M1005 to run a couple of type R's, and im just wondering why amp ratings are both in 12 volt and 14.4? If a cars electronics system is running at 12 volts then how is the amp supposed to run at 14.4 volts. Im new to the car audio scene and would appreciate it if someone could clear this up for me.

06-27-2005, 09:08 PM

Newb

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Car voltage is designed to nominally work around 12-12.5 V, however there is some play around that. Your average car audio gear will work from about 10.5V to 15V or so. Your average GM sits at about 13.8V running. So, car off, a battery will sit at anywhere from about 12V to 12.8V. Running will be 13V-14.8V ish.

Some amps are regulated meaning they produce about the same power at any voltage, and some are not, or "semi-regulated" meaning that they will produce more wattage with more input voltage.

Hope that helps a bit.

06-27-2005, 09:23 PM

t money

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Quote:

Originally posted by Newb:
Car voltage is designed to nominally work around 12-12.5 V, however there is some play around that. Your average car audio gear will work from about 10.5V to 15V or so. Your average GM sits at about 13.8V running. So, car off, a battery will sit at anywhere from about 12V to 12.8V. Running will be 13V-14.8V ish.

Some amps are regulated meaning they produce about the same power at any voltage, and some are not, or "semi-regulated" meaning that they will produce more wattage with more input voltage.

Hope that helps a bit.

not bad. Some amps are "regulated"(puts out same power at any voltage) and some are "unregulated"(puts out more wattage when voltage increases)hth

06-28-2005, 07:44 AM

Dereck Waller

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as for where they get the 14.4V batteries are 12 volt devices so in order to charge them the alternator has to put out more voltage, which is around 14 volts. Once the car is running everything is powered off the alternator, at 14 volts. That is the short and simple answer.