How do I get 14.4 volts?

[Junglist]

My Alpine head unit claims it's optimum voltage input is 14.4 volts but I can't get that no matter what I do. I've managed (after much fiddling) to reach 14.2 volts but I just can't seem to squeeze any more out! Before I upgraded my battery and replaced some of the cabling I was only getting 13.5 to 13.8 volts, so I've made some progress at least. Any ideas anyone? I know I'm probably being overly fussy, but I'm a bit OCD like that! Surely if Alpine prefer 14.4 volts it should easily be achievable though, right? And I'm particularly finicky about my music quality so I want it at its best.

[Nate]

have you measured the voltage at the alternator? if you've only got 13.8V between the alternator case and the connector for the big red wire, then you can replace everything else and it won't make bugger all difference.

that said, the tiny difference in voltage on your supply (and it really is tiny) is not going to make any perceivable difference to the sound quality, particularly when you think that a car is an awful place to be trying to get hifi sound in the first place

[Mr Funk]

particularly when you think that a car is an awful place to be trying to get hifi sound in the first place

Aye, especially the stupidly placed speakers.

[fonzooorooo]

i'd anticipate it'd only make a difference to the power amps, and then, only noticable on low frequency (where the power draw is greatest) ... though it's the amperage draw that's the biggest issue there (hence people buffering sub amps with big capacitors)... I bet even if you got the 14.4V, as soon as you started playing music/turned on lights/wipers etc, the voltage would drop anyway.

Upshot is that even if you attained the magic 14.4V you'd be very unlikely to hear a difference. you may gain a dB or 2 with everything set on "stun" but then you'd probably be clipping the amps anyway, so the speakers would die after a few mins.

Just my thoughts.

[Junglist]

Why do they say it like it ain't no thang then? Oh yeah, just power it with 14.4 volts, that's all. No biggy.

So should I fit a cap then? Or isn't it worth it?

[Mr Funk]

Why do they say it like it ain't no thang then? Oh yeah, just power it with 14.4 volts, that's all. No biggy.

That's coming close to my favourite post of the week.

I'd only fit a cap if it's cutting out through lack of juice

[Junglist]

Do I get a prize?

Cheers for the advice kids. I'll leave it then. Sound quality's pretty good as it is, just need an amp now for the infinitys I'm gonna put in the back behind the grilles. That's why I wanted that Alpine one off you Mr Funk. Still looking!