Seeking Alternator Advice

ryboto · Post by **ryboto** » Wed Nov 21, 2007 5:22 pm

It's been a while since I posted on these forums, but I had a question that no one I know can really answer. I currently own an Eclipse XA2000, purchased from a user on the forums. I'm going to use it to drive a subwoofer, so I'll need a second amp for my speakers. I've had a good experience with the eclipse, so I'm looking at getting the XA4000 for the speakers. Based on the OEM replacements for my car, my stock alternator is 70A. I haven't had time to get under the car to see if the alternator has any ratings listed on it, so I'll just go by this number for now. So, based on the FAQ for alternators, my power requirements are:
70*.75+40=~90A
That would be the theoretical alternator requirement for my current amp(2x20A fueses) based on the faq in the forum.

The XA4000 has 3x30A fuses. This ups the theoretical alternator requirement to ~180A.
1.)Does this sound reasonable?
2.)I can find two alternators, a 130A, and a 160A for my civic, which would best suite the two amplifiers?
3.)Can anyone recommend some decent, cheap distribution blocks/wiring kits? I was going to assume a 4 gauge kit would be the minimum for two amps.

JeremyC · Post by **JeremyC** » Wed Nov 21, 2007 5:42 pm

Go with the 160A. Or a little bigger if you can find it. Its always better to have a little headroom than to sell yourself short.

http://www.knukonceptz.com

Thats your best bet for cheap wires, and yes you would want to go with a 4 guage or maybe a 2 guage kit.

Bwcad1 · Post by **Bwcad1** » Wed Nov 21, 2007 7:26 pm

if you want high quaility contact excessiveamperage.com

cargodz · Post by **cargodz** » Thu Nov 22, 2007 6:14 am

Bwcad1 wrote:if you want high quaility contact excessiveamperage.com

^Yup x2...
And the 160Amp alternator would be the better choice especially if you up the power more down the road... Then you won't have to worry about this all over again

ryboto · Post by **ryboto** » Thu Nov 22, 2007 7:51 am

thanks for the advice guys! Excessiveamperage sounds like a great place, I like the custom built option, I'll check it out if the 160A becomes unavailable.

Ryan from Ohio · Post by **Ryan from Ohio** » Thu Nov 22, 2007 7:58 am

I used to recommend http://www.motorcityreman.com

It appears that over the past year or so their prices have skyrocketed to the point where its better ti buy elsewhere!

smoker · Post by **smoker** » Thu Nov 22, 2007 10:03 am

thing is your stock alt is going to be rated at somewhere between 3k and 5k rpm's..at idle its going to be around 30 or 40 amps....i sell nates alternators and he usually builds import alts to do around 180 max and around 100 amps at idle....