Alternator / Battery / Both?

[jpilson21]

It appears that I have 3 choices for giving my 97 Dodge Ram truck basic electrical needs plus enough power for a competition audio system. Does anyone know for sure which option is safest, most reliable, and the most durable?

Option 1 is to add a 200 amp alternator.

Option 2 is to add a second battery to the truck.

Option 3 is to add both, and have the audio system and nothing else powered by and connceted to the second battery.

The current alternator only puts out 117 amps, which clearly is not enough current for the 2 Lanzar amplifiers I'm putting in. The amps total 2000 watts (1000 watts RMS).

Any feedback on this is appreciated.

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[Trixter 10+ year member]

If you can do it, the alt upgrade would be the way to go. After that if you still see you need more power then add a second battery. Adding a second battery now will only put a bigger strain on your alt.

 

[KARLEON 10+ year member]

Yea i agree, after all the reading and stuff i have done, i would replace my alternator. I'm in the process of trying to save and figure out prices for one. So if you know a good place for a 200amp alternator then please let me know. Thanks

 

[BDP]

I know this will prolly sound stupid, but if you might (by some strange way) have a system in a work truck or 4x4, you could check out getting the Alt. with a on-board welder from a Premier Power Welder. Also DBZ Tronics

I dont know if they sell their alt. any cheaper but i was checking into a 200 amp for my muscle car at a local parts surplus and they wanted $385 for it.

 

[Trixter 10+ year member]

I got my stock one rewound to 180a for $160 at a local alt shop.

 

[denim 5,000+ posts]

I agree with Trixter, //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/wink.gif.608e3ea05f1a9f98611af0861652f8fb.gif

 

[Snowwmax]

I have a 1984 Bronco and I found a 160 Amp alternator kit for for $190 Shipped from ALTERSTART. I could have gotten the 200 Amp sucker for $249 but with the system I am putting in the 160 Amp will be fine...

Check out their website:

http://www.4alterstart.com/

 

[paikiah 5,000+ posts]

another place would be www.h-o-alternators.com.

 

[commonground 10+ year member]

Yea i agree, after all the reading and stuff i have done, i would replace my alternator. I'm in the process of trying to save and figure out prices for one. So if you know a good place for a 200amp alternator then please let me know. Thanks

I heard this guy has great prices on HO alternators. dominick@tds.net