when is a uprated alternater needed?

[China Man]

Hi,

I curently have

a mac audio 4 channel amp 600w max I think and 2x 10" subwoofer
DVD head unit
LCD screen

I have just bought another amp, 4 channel alpine V12 for the speakers.

I am running a halford battery and stock alternator and sometimes I see dim lights at extreme loud volume but only slightly.

do I need a bigger alternator to run the addition amp? I don;t want to install everything then find out the power drain end up destory the battery or worse the car.

China

[Terminator]

Matt Hardwood would be able to give you the best advice. The stock auto alternator has an out put of 100amps, I think PHR do one at 190.

[letmeshowyou]

I'd say a power cap would be a much easier option matey

[Bob]

Move the battery to the the boot and use decent 0/1awg cabling (KnuKonceptz stuff is excellent), should help the dimming issues. Unless you plan on using the system when your engine is off or for long periods, I wouldn't bother too much, though you may want to go for an extra battery and a split charge system.

[China Man]

extra battery? my car is heavy enough :)

I never have music with the engine off so that won't be a worry anyway. I will PM matt but he tends to be busy aways :)

[johnd-mkiv]

I have just under 4000 watts an have no worries mate just put a power cap in and you will be fine

[Muffleman]

In my last Supe I was running two V12s, two 8" audiobahn subs, headunit with retracting screen, PS2 etc

No dimming at all, no probs. Maybe your alternator isn't 100% ?

[ECK]

im running a alpine 600 watt v12 amp a alpine type r 12" sub a jbl 400watt amp for jvc components and my interior lights would flash with heavy bass i found that i cleaned my earth points to the battery and engine and wala job was a good un!! give it a try itl be alot cheeper than a cap ora new altinator!!!:) ;)

[johnd-mkiv]

Uprating the cable that goes to the alternator will help to

[Matt Harwood]

Hi Benson,
First thing to check is that the power cable you're using is man enough for the job.
Ideally we need to find out what current draw your amps are pulling. If you wanted to be precise, you need to know what the true RMS power is. Peak power figures are useless.
Can you tell me the model number of your amps and how they're configured. ie:- How are the subs wired, are the subs 4 ohms? (what are the model numbers of the subs?).

As already said, making sure you have the correct size power cable is the first step, next fit a capacitor. I can't see you'd need any more than that at this point. :)

[@lpher]

I can't see you'd need any more than that at this point. :)

I have to agree on this one :) Im still using the stock 100a alternator and im using one 2000w (rms) amp for the subs and one 800w (rms) amp for my fronts and rears...and im still able to play LOUD when i want to...and the alternator handles it nicely! :D

But...as Matt here stated earlier in the thread...and i know this cant be stressed enough...make shure you have a decent size cable...and DONT use a "so-so" earthingpoint... Its VERY easy to blow speakers and subs...and even other types of equipment (such as your headunits preouts) if youve taken shortcuts here ;)