Alt Question

[dedeauxxx 10+ year member]

Noob here, but what would be too much for a stock alt on a 97 GMC Sierra 15k?

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[Kross6622 10+ year member]

I am also fairly new, but I think I can give a little insight, could be way off but ive been doing a lot of research and have some basic knoweldge.

Basically it will depend on battery(ies) and what your current alternator amperage is at.

Most amps will have a recommended fuse which will help determine how much wattage it is. You can have an amp with a higher fuse rating then what your alternator puts out since music is dynamic and is not always at full tilt. You do not want to go to high as then you will have voltage drops and your battery(ies) will be drained. Allowing it to recharge your battery. I think the better way to go about this is know what you plan to do.

 

[dedeauxxx 10+ year member]

I am also fairly new, but I think I can give a little insight, could be way off but ive been doing a lot of research and have some basic knoweldge.
Basically it will depend on battery(ies) and what your current alternator amperage is at.

Most amps will have a recommended fuse which will help determine how much wattage it is. You can have an amp with a higher fuse rating then what your alternator puts out since music is dynamic and is not always at full tilt. You do not want to go to high as then you will have voltage drops and your battery(ies) will be drained. Allowing it to recharge your battery. I think the better way to go about this is know what you plan to do.

Well, I don't wanna do anything outrageous. I have a MTX TC4002 on it. Stock bat, and I don't remember what my amperage is at. My dad would just kick my *** if I messed something up.

 

[Kross6622 10+ year member]

What ohm load is it at. this also effects output.

 

[dedeauxxx 10+ year member]

What ohm load is it at. this also effects output.

Two ohms I believe

 

[Kross6622 10+ year member]

You will be fine. For sure. At most if you run 2 x 200 watts rms at 2 ohm each thats only 14.14 amps. Thats no problem on your stock alt. Don't be worried. If you have dimming headlights, etc check your wiring, then look into the big three upgrade. I doubt you will have any issues running that power.

 

[dedeauxxx 10+ year member]

You will be fine. For sure. At most if you run 2 x 200 watts rms at 2 ohm each thats only 14.14 amps. Thats no problem on your stock alt. Don't be worried. If you have dimming headlights, etc check your wiring, then look into the big three upgrade. I doubt you will have any issues running that power.

Thanks man. I just wanted to make sure because I have the most anti car audio dad in the world and I would for sure have to get rid of it if I messed up my electrical. I don't know so much about it, but I love it. Lol I have very little dimming, so I don't really think it's a big issue.

 

[Kross6622 10+ year member]

if you have little dimming and the battery is old, just replace it with a good new one, like a yellow or red top optima. If the battery is new then just make sure all your wires are correct, if it gets bad you may want to do the big 3 upgrade as its not expensive at all. it costs about 5-10 ft of 1/0 gauge which you can get around 2 bucks a foot.

 

[dedeauxxx 10+ year member]

Well the dimming I do have is at full blast...

The battery I have is like from the town parts house.

Lol so I'll keep the yella top in mind.