voltage

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The car's electrical system is speced at 13.6 volts and thus it is likely OK. Problems arise because of the electrical system in the car has some pretty nasty transients like -200V from alternator dump and +50 volts.

This is somthing that you may not be able to control.

At a minimum I'd recommend a diode (PRV 400V) to protect against reverse polarity and a transorb (fast zener diode) rated to 20 V or so to protect agaist the positive transients. These would be wired after the fuse and before the amp.

Parts should be available at www.digi-key.com.

I can research actual part numbers if need be.
 
Irwind,

Use a DC-DC Boost circuit. There is currently a thread here: http://www.diyaudio.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&postid=1097856#post1097856 on a 12-19V boost circuit for powering a laptop pc from the car's 12V, complete with pics and results. It can be adjusted for 15V, too. If you use just a diode, you will lose 0.7 to 1.0V in voltage headroom, making the amp's performance marginal. Most (if not all) the parts for this circuit can be salvaged from an old AT/ATX pc PSU.

Hope this helps.

Kind Regards,

Steve
 
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