HarrisH

iTrader: (1)

I was in a drive thru today with my system turned up pretty loud, I have a pretty powerful system by the way. The lights and all accessories were on except for the A/C. My radar was showing me a LOW VOLTAGE sign. I was like hmm thats weird so then I started monitoring the voltage. Here are my results. When the car is OFF the battery voltage seems to be between 12.2-12.8V. When car is on and in IDLE WITHOUT being in any gear, the voltage fluctuates between 14.0-14.2V. When car is in gear WITH foot on brake pedal voltage seems to be between 13.3-13.7V. All this is with all accessories on except for A/C. With A/C on at idle with foot on brake voltage seems to be about 13.1-13.5. When coolant fans kick on voltage drops to almost a steady 12.5V. When fans kick off Voltage SLOWLY comes back up to 12.7V. This is all when car is IDLING IN GEAR, with FOOT ON BRAKE. As soon as I step on the gas the V. jumps to 14.0. Basically if I'm not idling the Voltage is very steady between 14.0-14.3. The low voltage scenarios are only when I'm in gear and idling at about 525-550RPMS. What do you guys think? Seem normal? Why do you think my voltage dipped lower than 10.6 for the the LOW VOLTAGE sign to come up, btw this only happened once when radio was on with subs bumping, while I was idling in a drive thru.

magdocjr

Sounds like you are pulling too much current for your battery. I have seen it first hand when people expect the cars standard charging system to take on the responsibility of a large sound system. Fact is that just can not keep up at idle when the amps are demanding power. It is not good for the battery or for your amps. You might want to look to invest in having a second battery installed along with a cap.

njmaxseltd

iTrader: (19)

Yes, your voltage at idle seems normal.

You answered your own question with the next statement.

bendy

mine does the same with a 1,000 watt amp