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When an amp puts two different wattage sizes for the voltage used.....for example.....12v or 14.4 volt. How do you change the voltage going to the amp. And what is the standerd voltage comming from our cars. Need a little help understanding. I'm building a custom system and this is the only thing puzzling me.

 
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some one please move to ice

 
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I posted it here because threads there seem to get swept under the table. noone seems to take the time to look at all the forums. Oh and thanks for the help!

 
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The voltages in a car are generally approximate.

12v is the standard but things can vary a lot.

Also the voltage w/ the car on and off are generally different.

These measurements try to account for that.

If you really wanna know what voltage you have, get a volt-meter, start the car, and measure the positive and negative.

Then you will know approximately wattage what you are getting.

 
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Ok so if the car has 12 volts how do I change that to 14.4v to get the most out of my amp.

 
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For the most part there is nothing you can do.

Only run the stereo w/ the car on is a good start to get that higher voltage.

Generally averages for an automotive electrical system are something like this:
- Car off: 12.5v
- Car on: 13.8v

Run the stereo w/ the car off for a while it may go down to 10v. Hell if you do it long enough to kill the battery that obviously 0v. So slowly but surely you will have less volume over time. But then again once you start the car ..... you are back at 13.8v .....

There is no switch or anything that will get you this higher voltage.

Voltage just happens to fluctuate as different components of the car interact. A combination function of the battery, altenator, current draw, voltage regulator, etc ......

Like I said before, measure the voltage w/ a voltmeter and you will see where your at.

 
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What he said

Just curious as to why you ask?

 
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I want to get the most out of my amp. amps perform better at 14.4 volts and produce more wattage. That is why.

 
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I've found on average that Civics run right at 14 volts, not 14.4 though. There isn't anything you can do, it's just spec ratings anyway. Every amp is a different power. I have a friend with 2 750x's and each of them are different ratings. It's just a difference between spec ratings and real world ratings.

 
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Actually amps run best with consistant power, your best bet is to buy at least a 1 farad capacitor to wire between your battery and amp, this will prevent the heavy draw on your electrical system that occurs when the amp draws for heavy bass hits. Much easier alternative to dealing with whatever your trying to do (which i still have no clue) The cap is is basic terms a "backup" battery to effect. It just holds a draw of power so when the amp needs the extra juice, it draws from the cap instead of from your battery. Most good ones run from 60 to 100 bucks and they are well worth it.