Overcharging problem

Disclaimer: Links on this page pointing to Amazon, eBay and other sites may include affiliate code. If you click them and make a purchase, we may earn a small commission.

liljdub614

TYF Newbie
Joined
Nov 13, 2025
Posts
11
Reaction score
3
driving home today listening to my 2 12s and seen my voltage was pretty high and like 5 minutes later one of my subs blew, basically what I’m asking could my alternator overcharging cause that to happen? because when it happened I didn’t have it full volume or pushing them to the max
 

Doubeleive

Wes
Supporting Member
Joined
Nov 7, 2017
Posts
30,501
Reaction score
47,903
Location
Stockton, Ca.
driving home today listening to my 2 12s and seen my voltage was pretty high and like 5 minutes later one of my subs blew, basically what I’m asking could my alternator overcharging cause that to happen? because when it happened I didn’t have it full volume or pushing them to the max
doubtful, unless it is some crap system most amps have over voltage protection
 
OP
OP
L

liljdub614

TYF Newbie
Joined
Nov 13, 2025
Posts
11
Reaction score
3
It’s a Rockford fosgate I just so happen to see my voltage reading a little over 15
 

Foggy

Full Access Member
Joined
Jul 25, 2019
Posts
1,403
Reaction score
1,920
Location
KS
It’s a Rockford fosgate I just so happen to see my voltage reading a little over 15
15 is fine.... The pcm tells the alternator how much to charge depending on current needs. I'd look into your audio system first. Could just have been a spike... Replace
the fuse/relay and roll on !!
 

tom3

Full Access Member
Joined
Jul 15, 2019
Posts
1,410
Reaction score
2,464
Our Tahoe shows charge voltage over 15 quite a bit when cold or after sitting for a couple days. Shouldn't damage anything.
 

Joseph Garcia

Elite Member
Supporting Member
Joined
Aug 2, 2018
Posts
10,284
Reaction score
14,887
driving home today listening to my 2 12s and seen my voltage was pretty high and like 5 minutes later one of my subs blew, basically what I’m asking could my alternator overcharging cause that to happen? because when it happened I didn’t have it full volume or pushing them to the max
In all probability, your amp failed and the resulting failure somehow blew out the sub.
 

swathdiver

Full Access Member
Joined
May 18, 2017
Posts
21,276
Reaction score
30,208
Location
Treasure Coast, Florida
If your alternator is running at 15 volts a lot, it's a sign that the battery is on its way out or does not have enough capacity to serve your needs. AGM batteries die quick when charged at 15+ volts for any length of time.
 

Doubeleive

Wes
Supporting Member
Joined
Nov 7, 2017
Posts
30,501
Reaction score
47,903
Location
Stockton, Ca.
In all probability, your amp failed and the resulting failure somehow blew out the sub.
no.... that would be some weird extreme rare occurrence, amps have protection circuits to prevent such things like a fire, it would fail internally and go into protection mode or just stop working or blow the fuse.
in the past 15-20 years I have blown 4-5 $800 woofers, simply from playing them beyond there (rated) capacity for a extended period of time.
sometimes not noticeable until played at a lower volume or at a certain tone, when you hear it it's already gone.....
 

Joseph Garcia

Elite Member
Supporting Member
Joined
Aug 2, 2018
Posts
10,284
Reaction score
14,887
no.... that would be some weird extreme rare occurrence, amps have protection circuits to prevent such things like a fire, it would fail internally and go into protection mode or just stop working or blow the fuse.
in the past 15-20 years I have blown 4-5 $800 woofers, simply from playing them beyond there (rated) capacity for a extended period of time.
sometimes not noticeable until played at a lower volume or at a certain tone, when you hear it it's already gone.....
Fair enough. I've never blown a subwoofer, as I never put more power into them than they are rated for.
 

Doubeleive

Wes
Supporting Member
Joined
Nov 7, 2017
Posts
30,501
Reaction score
47,903
Location
Stockton, Ca.
Fair enough. I've never blown a subwoofer, as I never put more power into them than they are rated for.
ya I like to rattle my brain a bit so power is required, surprised I haven't knocked every nut and bolt loose in the truck, things rattle but you just turn it up more and then you can't hear the rattling as much. lol
 

Joseph Garcia

Elite Member
Supporting Member
Joined
Aug 2, 2018
Posts
10,284
Reaction score
14,887
ya I like to rattle my brain a bit so power is required, surprised I haven't knocked every nut and bolt loose in the truck, things rattle but you just turn it up more and then you can't hear the rattling as much. lol
That's a fact - > Volume overcomes rattles, just like it overcomes exhaust drones. LOL

Years ago, I used to read the customer comments on Crutchfield's web site about their experiences with sub-woofers. Some of them were absolutely hilarious. I remember reading that several blew their rear view mirrors mounts off their windshields, exploded their rear windows, and one person in an old rusting Toyota broke so many of the remaining body tack welds, that he had to junk the car.
 

Forum statistics

Threads
137,691
Posts
1,989,688
Members
102,691
Latest member
RobK
Back
Top