might I have a problem with my PG TI Voltage Meter?

rasta4life · Post by **rasta4life** » Sun Dec 02, 2007 9:10 pm

On my car I have a ti voltage meter going to Two US Amps the voltage meter is going through a distribution box.My problem is when playing music with alot of bass the ti volts go down to 11 to 10 so forth,the voltage jumps up and down to much also my voltage meter say Lo.(low) meaning probably low volltage.I have checked many things batteries ok,voltage is ok,not sure any help

Post by **Wakeup** » Sun Dec 02, 2007 9:27 pm

Try just going to one amp? and not two at the same time....also if the system is not playing music what does the volt meter read? (IE: in between songs, or if you turn the volume down/off etc)

IF I play music w/ my volt meter I get 14.2 with no volume. I get dips to as low as 12 when i have it really loud and the bass is LOUD! Just to give you an idea.... So if the volt meter is split between the two...could just be a strange reading? The volts can go up and down depending on the draw from your amps....I am not very technical, and I dont know much about how this stuff works, so I am just talking just to talk right now...and going off of what I own and use and see....

Also when I was running my XXX 12" 2006 sub, my voltages would dip MUCH lower on the bass notes than when i have it running on my cyclone and 12W7. The xxx would draw much more power...and I would get lower numbers on the volt meter when it hit bass notes than the other two subs.

dedlyjedly · Post by **dedlyjedly** » Sun Dec 02, 2007 10:40 pm

Sounds like the voltage display is working like it should. Now take in to consideration that those displays aren't exactly pin-point accurate, but you will see voltage drops on the display during heavy bass notes if your electrical system is being taxed under loads.

rasta4life · Post by **rasta4life** » Mon Dec 03, 2007 6:55 am

why on my voltage display does it say Lo(low) voltage.It never said that before.I have checked the fuses,all the batteries,the relays. not sure

dedlyjedly · Post by **dedlyjedly** » Mon Dec 03, 2007 8:02 am

Numeric display has a minimum number. I'm not sure what it is, but probably around 10.5. Below that point it will say "Lo."

Post by **Wakeup** » Mon Dec 03, 2007 12:26 pm

ya...mine sometimes says High.

so dont feel bad!

Ya I think its just a warning that it is low. Did you try running it with just one amp to see?
how bout testing it with low volume or no volume?

rasta4life · Post by **rasta4life** » Mon Dec 03, 2007 1:45 pm

thanks ded and wakeup I called PG today and they said one guy called and his voltage meter said HI or HIgh on his meter,mine says low or lo.My problem is when I found out it said Lo I played and my amps shutted down and I think I saw some smoke,my amps still work but when I start getting below 11 or 10 volts and Lo I turn off my system,I am checking everything the batteries,distribution block with the fuses wires,alternator, relay cables etc.

Post by **Wakeup** » Mon Dec 03, 2007 1:50 pm

OK....Again, try the volt meter with just ONE AMP!.....Low Volume....

what kind of voltages does it read?

Help me out here.....hehe...we cant help ya if you dont try some of these things.

Low voltage is not necessarily a good thing, especially if you start Turning up volume to compensate or to try to get louder. You can clip your speakers. And smoke them and the amps.

Post by **stipud** » Mon Dec 03, 2007 2:07 pm

Sounds like your electrical system isn't strong enough to support your amps. Have you upgraded your alternator or battery? Done the big 3? What amps do you have, and what size power wiring have you run? How are your amps grounded in the back?

Semi-shorted outputs or a clipping signal can also cause the amplifiers to be very inefficient. I used to have this problem until I figured out my headunit clips at about 75% volume and higher, where I tuned it at 90%. When I recalibrated it for 70%, my headlight dimming and voltage problems disappeared completely.

The gauge may also not be calibrated properly. Verify your voltage at the amp terminals with a multimeter to see if you get the same results. Odds are if your voltage is dropping enough to shut the amps off, this is not the issue.

rasta4life · Post by **rasta4life** » Mon Dec 03, 2007 2:34 pm

thanks stipud and the others I will check more throughly and give you more updates.