Featured Amp on alternator

[Mr FaceCaser]

So i was told to get a 400 amp alternator for my 2012 Nissan altima 3.5 V6. There's about 5k watts rms of car audio with 2 amps 1 is sundown SIA 3500D and DS18 EXL-P1200X4. I do have an extra battery as well XS power not quite sure on the size. So I hit up singer alternators and he said I only need a 240 or 270 amp alternator as it will keep up with 5k watts rms. Here's a picture of the email he exactly said. Just want to make sure I get the right thing.

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[Fabian12]

go as high as you can. more doesnt hurt. I run 4400w rms off a 330a alt with two agm batteries w minimal voltage drops. Price difference between a 270a and a 400a is like $100 on some reliable sites.

 

[Mr FaceCaser]

go as high as you can. more doesnt hurt. I run 4400w rms off a 330a alt with two agm batteries w minimal voltage drops. Price difference between a 270a and a 400a is like $100 on some reliable sites.

Any good company's or sites I should look for in a alternator?

 

[Old_Slapper]

They probably recommended the smaller alternator because that's the biggest they have. However, the chances of you using 100% of your power is quite unlikely to ever happen. However, if you're drawing 500 amps, then you need something that will provide that. If you don't, then your amps will draw all the power and prevent your other electronics from getting what they need. That means your lights and onboard computers will get less than 12v. Possible down in the single digits.

I will never forget the guy who insisted on not upgrading his alternator, in a Pontiac Grand Am, after I install a 1500 watt system. He was cranking the sound way up when all of a sudden his car died. The system was too much for his car and when he cranked his system way up, it sucked all the juice from the cars electrical system.

 

[Mr FaceCaser]

They probably recommended the smaller alternator because that's the biggest they have. However, the chances of you using 100% of your power is quite unlikely to ever happen. However, if you're drawing 500 amps, then you need something that will provide that. If you don't, then your amps will draw all the power and prevent your other electronics from getting what they need. That means your lights and onboard computers will get less than 12v. Possible down in the single digits.

I will never forget the guy who insisted on not upgrading his alternator, in a Pontiac Grand Am, after I install a 1500 watt system. He was cranking the sound way up when all of a sudden his car died. The system was too much for his car and when he cranked his system way up, it sucked all the juice from the cars electrical system.

Ok sounds good

 

[Old_Slapper]

I know some people don't like JS Alternators. I have had some good luck and very little bad luck with them. However, their warranty is pretty good, and if alternator is easy to get to, then it might not be bad to give them a chance.

 

[Popwarhomie 5,000+ posts]

Mike builds alternators for a living and has done car audio for 20ish years. I would listen to him. Like he said these big alts don't do crap at idle. On a daily driver that is pretty important. Also you are not running 5k clamped. You don't need a 400 amp alternator. Do the 270.

 

[Old_Slapper]

I never doubted the knowledge of Stinger. Is a 400 amp needed? Nope. I believe I mentioned that. Mostly, it depends on how long you will be cranked to high volume. I have run dozens of sound systems that exceeded their alternator's ability. Most of them by less than 100 amps. The sound system will run, but you will get flickering lights. It is unlikely that you will blow your alternator, but you will definitely notice a power loss while bumping loud.

Perfect example,
How man of you have installed a 500 watt sub amp to a Honda civic? The Civic has about a 100 amp alternator? 500 watts will draw about 50 amps. As soon as you crank up the sound, the lights start to flicker pretty bad.

 

[Mr FaceCaser]

Mike builds alternators for a living and has done car audio for 20ish years. I would listen to him. Like he said these big alts don't do crap at idle. On a daily driver that is pretty important. Also you are not running 5k clamped. You don't need a 400 amp alternator. Do the 270.

If I get 400 I wouldn't have to worry about upgrading my speakers and subs at some point again and have to get a bigger alternator. I'm new to car audio got my sound system 4 years ago and upgraded a year ago and that's when I started hooking everything up myself so please if I'm wrong tell me. I don't really idle much at all either this is my daily driver so if im not driving 98% it's off

 

[Fabian12]

Any good company's or sites I should look for in a alternator?

I went thru Js Alternators, but Mechman seems to be top of the pyramid

 

[Mr FaceCaser]

I went thru Js Alternators, but Mechman seems to be top of the pyramid

Mechman doesn't make alternators for Nissan so I'll go with JS

 

[Fabian12]

Mechman doesn't make alternators for Nissan so I'll go with JS

Ive had nothing but good experiences with Js

 

[Mr FaceCaser]

Ive had nothing but good experiences with Js

Okay that's good

 

[Old_Slapper]

If I get 400 I wouldn't have to worry about upgrading my speakers and subs at some point again and have to get a bigger alternator. I'm new to car audio got my sound system 4 years ago and upgraded a year ago and that's when I started hooking everything up myself so please if I'm wrong tell me. I don't really idle much at all either this is my daily driver so if im not driving 98% it's off

A 400 amp is pretty big and your already running 5000 watts. If you were to upgrade anything, I would look into a more custom install and reinforcing the structure of your car. I would also look into different subs. Something like RE Audio XXX subs. But you would have to upgrade your suspension because those subs are 100 pounds each.

 

[Mr FaceCaser]

A 400 amp is pretty big and your already running 5000 watts. If you were to upgrade anything, I would look into a more custom install and reinforcing the structure of your car. I would also look into different subs. Something like RE Audio XXX subs. But you would have to upgrade your suspension because those subs are 100 pounds each.

I don't think I'm gonna upgrade my subs anymore or for a long time. I want to mainly upgrade my midrange speakers and adding more speakers rn I have 4 I want to get 8 in there