Who does not love to listen to their favorite music while driving their car? Most of us, right? And an amplifier, or an “amp,” can enhance our listening experience. It increases the power of the audio signal coming from the car stereo. Now, the issue is some people keep asking, “How to get 14.4 volts to my amp?”
Amplifiers require a specific voltage to function optimally. A gain in voltage can increase output power (1). Hence, voltage amps can be built to amplify an input voltage to a higher voltage. Indeed, It helps boost audio signals before they reach speakers (2,3). Again, the voltage gain of an amplifier is calculated as the ratio of output voltage to input voltage (4).
You can follow some efficient ways to provide 14.4 volts to the amp. They are – selecting the proper power supply, voltage regulator and settings, and battery backup systems. Also, You may optimize the grounding and ensure adequate wiring connections. Read this blog thoroughly to know more ways to get the desired voltage to the amplifier.
What are the Power Sources for Amplifiers?
We can categorize power amplifiers into audio, RF (radio frequency), and DC (direct current). It depends on the connected output device.
Audio amps are standard nowadays. We use them to increase the magnitude of the power of a weaker audio signal. Then, RF ones are used in applications where we use radio frequencies. Similarly, DC amps are used for direct current purposes.
These power sources have both advantages and disadvantages. Let me share some examples:
Electromagnetic energy does not need an external electrical source to generate electrical power (5). Alternatively, AC power allows voltage levels to be transformed. Electrical energy can be generated at low voltage. It can also be stepped up for long-distance transmission to reduce I²R losses (6).
However, AC power amps need more complex generators than DC power. It is because DC power is more uncomplicated to generate. But it cannot be easily transformed to different voltage levels.
Causes of Low Voltage to Amplifier
Why do you get inconsistent voltages to the amp? Have you thought about it? Some common causes for this issue are –
- There is a problem with the remote turn-on wire, or it is hooked up incorrectly (7).
- A broken or loosened power wire.
- Poor or entirely not connected ground connection.
- An incorrectly wired or powered amp.
- Bad ground connection.
- If your car has a weak or old battery, it fails to supply the necessary voltage to your amplifier.
- A faulty alternator can lead to voltage drops. It will impact the overall performance of the amp.
- Similarly, the wiring (like loose or damaged wires) can also affect the voltage supplied to the amp.
Definition of 14.4 Volts – What is Special in It?
I guess you may have seen it in discussions of different forums. However, experts say the ideal voltage for a car amplifier is 14.4 volts (8). This is because the current flowing to the speaker increases with the output voltage of a car audio amp (9).
The pulse-width modulation controller manages the power supply. It can change the relative “on” to “off” time to increase the current supplied by the amp. Your car’s amp can deliver its full potential when this optimal voltage is achieved. You can consider power and sound quality.
If the volt reading is too low or too high, it can affect performance and cause damage. That’s why you must maintain a steady voltage of 14.4 volts for amp’s longevity and performance.
For sure, the voltage supplied to a car amplifier is not constant. A few factors can influence it. For instance, it can be the health and performance of the electrical system. It may include the battery, alternator, and wiring.
Ways to Get the Right Volts to the Amplifier
In this part, I will explain what you wanted to know from this blog. Yes, I am talking about how to provide the right (14.4) voltage to the amplifier.
1st Solution: Battery & Alternator Upgrade
We know that a battery provides the power to start your car. It runs the electrical components when the vehicle is off. Suppose you add an amplifier to your system. Then, it would help if you considered adding a secondary battery.
In the same way, an alternator charges your car’s battery and powers the electrical system when running. Upgrading your alternator is a good idea if you deal with a system over 1000 watts.
Without a doubt, the charging system (consisting of a battery and alternator) can affect a car amplifier’s performance. A higher volt can increase power output from an unregulated amplifier (10). So, ensure that the battery and alternator can handle the power demands of the amplifier to prevent issues.
2nd Solution: Step-up or Boost Voltage Converters
Converters can increase the voltage from lower to higher. It can be from 12V to 14.4V. And I guess it is helpful for car audio systems (11, 12). These components are found in various power ratings to accommodate power requirements (13, 14).
3rd Solution: Wiring and Safety Precautions
The wires carry power from the battery to your car’s electrical components. Proper wiring and safety precautions are essential when installing an amplifier. This way, you can ensure consistent voltage and prevent electrical issues (15).
I have a better suggestion: upgrade the “Big 3” for a consistent voltage to the alternator (16). It means upgrading –
- The ground wire,
- The battery positive to alternator positive wire,
- The engine ground to chassis wire.
4th Solution: Voltage Regulators
A regulator automatically maintains a constant voltage. It uses a simple feed-forward design or may include negative feedback. Also, it may use an electromechanical mechanism or electronic components. Depending on the design, voltage regulators can regulate one or more AC or DC voltages.
You may get 14.4 volts to the amp if you choose the proper regulator. To select the suitable component, you must keep several things in mind. These include:
- Output voltage
- Current rating
- Heat dissipation
- Protection features
- Size
- Mounting options
How do these things work?
- The output voltage should match the voltage requirements of your amplifier. In this case, it will be 14.4 volts.
- Then, the current rating should be higher than the maximum current draw of your amplifier.
- Look for regulators with built-in protection features like overvoltage, overcurrent, and thermal shutdown.
5th Solution: Troubleshooting Common Power Issues
Some typical issues in your car are blown fuses, low battery voltage, and wrong impedance loads. These can cause the amplifier to enter the protected mode (17, 18).
You should troubleshoot these issues by checking for proper voltage at the power wire. Also, ensure that the amplifier is not grounded out. Verify that the speaker wires are not shorted (19, 20).
How to Measure Amplifier Voltage
Every car owner would love to know the method. I mean, we want our amplifier to receive the ideal voltage. In this part, I will explain how you can measure the voltage of an amplifier. So, you need to follow several steps.
This procedure requires a multimeter to measure the voltage, current, and resistance.
- First, we should disconnect the amplifier from the power source. Distinctly, it’s for our and our vehicle’s safety.
- Then, we need to set the multimeter to measure the DC voltage.
- The next step is to connect the positive (red) probe of the multimeter to the positive terminal of the amplifier. In the same way, the negative (black) probe to the ground.
- Now, we can see the readings.
Suppose the reading is notably lower or higher than 14.4 volts. In that case, we must solve the issue with the car’s electrical system or amp.
Final Words
I hope you have understood “how to get 14.4 Volts to my amp?” So, start working on the instructions I have shared and get the exact 14.4 volts to your car’s amplifier.
It is not a difficult task to get suitable volts to the amplifier. I have explained this matter throughout the blog. Therefore, you can follow several methods. These include upgrading batteries and alternators, voltage converters and regulators, proper wiring, and some common troubleshooting.
That’s all for today. Thank you for your time.
