I’ve got a 2000W amp running at 1200W, and everything seems fine.
Went to AutoZone just to have them run codes for the hell of it—zero codes came up—but the guy told me my battery is at 14V and acted like that was high.
Am I wrong, or isn’t 14V completely normal when the car is running?
Lol, at least you knew better. I get a kick out of people who take the AutoZone printout and a random part to a mechanic and say, ‘Here, replace this!’
Are you running stock electrical (factory alternator, single battery, no lithium bank)?
If so, you might want to invest in a high-output alternator. A 2000W amp @12V pulls 167A, and 1200W pulls around 100A.
I think stock, your Escape has a 150A alternator? Most vehicles need 40-60A just to run normal electronics, before you add in a big amp. If the alternator is constantly maxed out, it’ll wear out faster.
I’ve got a 2012 Maxima with 3K watts on subs & 1K on mids/highs. Ended up upgrading to a 320A alternator + dual batteries, then swapped to a 390A when that wasn’t enough. The regulator sits at full voltage when I crank the system up.
Also, I worked part-time at AutoZone before—total disaster. Most people there have zero actual vehicle repair knowledge outside of basic shadetree work. I only did it for the employee discounts.
Certified ASE mechanic, 20+ years experience—thanks for coming to my TED Talk.