Can someone pick out an aftermarket alternator for me?

jjohan35 · Post by **jjohan35** » Sun Jan 30, 2011 10:08 pm

Hi everyone,

I have Honda civic 2007 sedan. I'm in the process of gathering and installing an audio system for my car, since the previous small system got stolen. I didn't require an aftermarket alternator before since it was such a weak system, but I'm planning on putting together something that will have 1000-1500 wrms (modest in comparison to many people here). Everywhere I go, people are telling me that I will need an aftermarket alternator for my Civic.

Can someone here recommend something relatively affordable that would suit my needs? It seems like there are a million different places to get an aftermarket alternator and I'm not too familiar with all the technical specifications involved. My installer does not want to be involved in the decision-making process, he'll install whatever I hand him. I just want to be able to purchase and order something online without spending too much time figuring which one I need. I just need something modest that will work as a daily driver.

Any pointers? I am willing to order whatever you throw at me, I'm that desperate.

loudwagon15s · Post by **loudwagon15s** » Mon Jan 31, 2011 6:45 am

http://mechman.myshopify.com/
i've heard nothing but good things from their products and their customer service

jjohan35 · Post by **jjohan35** » Mon Jan 31, 2011 2:45 pm

I have a quick question. At what W RMS should I install an aftermarket alternator?

JeremyC · Post by **JeremyC** » Mon Jan 31, 2011 6:36 pm

There isn't a set RMS that you need to upgrade your alt. Figuring out if you need one is actually WAY more simple than that.

Do your lights dim when your driving?

Have you upgraded your big three?

If you answered yes to both, it would be a good idea to upgrade.

falkenbd · Post by **falkenbd** » Tue Feb 01, 2011 7:30 am

I have a 2006 civic coupe. Didn't have to upgrade and was within that range of rms rating.

At one point I was running a DLS A6 @ 1 ohm (1200 wrms) and a 4x100 amp as well.

Bwcad1 · Post by **Bwcad1** » Tue Feb 01, 2011 9:22 am

How often are you gonna drive around using full power?

Bwcad1 · Post by **Bwcad1** » Tue Feb 01, 2011 9:25 am

JeremyC wrote:There isn't a set RMS that you need to upgrade your alt. Figuring out if you need one is actually WAY more simple than that.

Do your lights dim when your driving?

Have you upgraded your big three?

If you answered yes to both, it would be a good idea to upgrade.

Lawl No.

that doesn't take into account the fact that there could be other electrical issues. Like bad grounding, corroded cables or a weak or dieing battery the list goes on and on.

It could be any issue and throwing 350 bucks at an alternator wont fix any of that shit.

i wouldn't bother putting an alt in your car with that much power. Do the big 3 and maybe add a second small battery and be done.

jjohan35 · Post by **jjohan35** » Tue Feb 01, 2011 3:51 pm

Thanks!

JeremyC · Post by **JeremyC** » Tue Feb 01, 2011 4:26 pm

I was assuming the install and factory wiring was correct.

Either way, you can have a 10K watt system and listen to it at 90 db's and you probably won't need an alt. On the other side, if you have a 2K watt system, and have it cranked all the time, (especially with an old, or lower power alt) your might end up needing one.

The only real way to know, is to do the install correctly, and see if you have a problem with voltage drop.

Mithrandir · Post by **Mithrandir** » Wed Feb 09, 2011 4:14 am

I wouldnt put in an HO alt, until your drawing around 1.5k - 2k rms nearly all the time.

I ran 900 rms on a stock sunfire alt without any problems