Alternator Exceeds 14 Volts With Amp

[miande]

A couple of months back I installed an amp and new speakers. The amp is 500w max and 80 x 4 RMS @ 14 volts. No sub, just the speakers. Last night, my lights were dimming when I touched the brakes. Did it a couple of times and then stopped. Today, I started noticing the guage and when I turn on the radio, it increases from 14 to around 14.5 (according to the dash guage). When I turn the radio off, or turn the volume completely down, it drops back down to 14. Anyone know if this is normal and appropriate with the amp? I wired the amp directly to the fuseable link block on the passenger firewall. It is connected to the same post as the alternator cable. Should I move it to the battery side or connect it directly to the battery, or does it make a difference.

 

2009 Silverado

[rodram]

your alternator voltage with vary because you have "Regulated Voltage... or whatever it is called on the newer trucks... lots of things dictate to the alternator what voltage range it should be in... including the load applied to it, the outside temperature, whether you have a trailer electrical plugged-in, whether your AFM is on or off... etc....

 

so what you describe is normal as far as I know ... could be anywhere from 11.5 V to 15.5 V