I have burned up two HU (Sony xplod cdx 4000)in the past six months. I am driving down the road with and all the sudden it starts smoking. I reacently replaced my altornator(autozone said it had a bad diode and it squealed). I called Sony's technical support and they said the voltage should be between 12-14 volts and that the reason it probably burned up was too much voltage fluctuation too often stressed the voltage regulator. My voltage is usually between 14.3 and 14.7 with no accessories running(after the new altornator). Is this going to hurt my HU and if so what can I do to fix it? Thanks. ~ Arnold

 

buy some subs =)

 

14.3 to 14.7 volts is exactly where you should be with no accessories. Try a different brand head unit next time.

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Above post is right on. I would begin to worry if I ever saw anything more than 15.1 volts. Remember, the alternator output is temperature sensitive, giving a higher voltage output with a lower ambient temperature to compensate for the the higher resistance of the battery. I often see 14.5-15.0 during the coldest of days in winter to 13.9-14.5 during the summer; when the alternator case is cold, it'll output more voltage (the regulator is cooler) than when its hot even though the outside temperature remains the same.

Actually, I'd do more than "worry" if I ever saw anything more than 15.1 volts, I'd immediately turn the vehicle off and fix the problem before allowing that much voltage to potentially destroy something.

 

Ok, thanks a lot guys. I guess what stuart said about the ambeitn temp would explain why the voltage drops a little after the car is good a warmed up. I guess maybe I just made a bad choice for a head unit:-) Thank God for best buys 2 year extended warenty. he he. Thanks ~ Arnold