I just got some stereo upgrades. 2 400w amps and 8 total speakers. Riding it around last night the voltmeter was pegged! At idle it was hovering around 14 and with throttle it was 16+. Do I need to upgrade anything in my electrical system to accommodate the stereo upgrades? Prior to this work the voltmeter was between 12 and 14 at all times.

 

2012's had bad regulators. That aside, I'm not sure about all that stuff you have added...

 

Ya not sure this has anything to do with the new stuff. High voltage makes me think bad volt reg. Granted the dash meters are not perfect, but if they were never that high before something is wrong.

This can fry your electrics. I would not keep riding it. Especially with the expensive stuff you got. Unless there is something that really makes you think it is related to the new equipment, lie the first ride after installing. I would tend to think it would cause votage to drop with all that stuff and cause issues the other way.

 

It should be around 12.7 and rev up to around 14.4. Pretty much the same for all vehicles to my knowledge.

 

Did the voltmeter return to normal if you turned off all the audio gear.

 

I wondered that. But I would think it would drop rather than raise. But maybe something I am missing, since he just installed all this heavy draw stuff.