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do i need to upgrade my alt
Posted: Fri Mar 18, 2005 11:46 am
by audiofreak12
I was wondering if i was in need of an alternator upgrade. I am running a PPI pc275 amp, an Alpine V-power amp, and possibly one more amp if i get my rear mids. I need to know if i am going to have to upgrade my alt or do I just need to just get a better battery. The battery and the alt are stock. Its on an 02 envoy if that matters.
Posted: Fri Mar 18, 2005 1:03 pm
by ridr4lif
If you are running more than about 800-1000 total watts, then get a new alternator. I was running an 840 watt amp off of my stock alt and battery and i was having problems.
TEDD
Posted: Fri Mar 18, 2005 2:04 pm
by smoker
we are running a jl 500/1 a jl 300/4 an extant 2180 bridged into two channels for a total of 1160 watts and have no problems with the stock alternator and have no caps or other upgrades. this is in a 2000 chevy silverado ext. cab. and yes it rocks. just dont listen with the engine off for too long or youll need a jump
Posted: Fri Mar 18, 2005 2:45 pm
by ridr4lif
It all depends on the vehicle. If the vehicle comes stock w/ a higher amp alt (i.e. trucks) then you may not. But on most passenger vehicles/cars, you will need to upgrade.
"just dont listen with the engine off for too long or youll need a jump"
Common sense, when the engine is off, the alt. isnt keeping the voltage up on the battery...thus killing it
TEDD
Posted: Fri Mar 18, 2005 4:58 pm
by GlassWolf
the best way to tell is to connect the system and use it for a bit.
if you have problems with lights dimming and such then yes upgrade the charging system.
otherwise leave it alone.
Posted: Fri Mar 18, 2005 5:25 pm
by 6three6mafia6
you will probably not need a alternator, WORST case would be a yellow top but i doubt that even with what you got.
Posted: Sat Mar 19, 2005 8:51 am
by GlassWolf
this is all covered in the FAQ section under charging systems
Posted: Sat Mar 19, 2005 8:57 am
by audiofreak12
ok thanks...for some reason i couldnt view the FAQ's section, i can now though...thanks
Posted: Wed Mar 23, 2005 7:48 pm
by f-onefifty
yea all depends but i will run(and many people over at CAF) ~2000rms on 80-100 amp stock alts and bats with big 3 upgrades.
Posted: Thu Mar 24, 2005 5:28 am
by GlassWolf
the only way that would work is if the system isn't being driven at full output, or anywhere close to it with 2000 watts on a stock alternator.
a 100A alternator produces a peak of 1200 watts of power. usually 50-80% of that is used by the car itself.
The only way you get by using large amplifiers without clipping is by using only a small portion of the amplifiers' output since a "1000wRMS" amplifier only produces 1000 watts RMS @ full output, and every +10dB down from that full output is a tenth the amount of power coupled with the dynamic nature of most audio signals being produced by the amps.