alternator idea

[taintedplay 10+ year member]

ok, well im trying to run 4 alpine type r's off of a aq3500d, and a hifonics 1048 for speakers.

this is in a '97 expedition with stock 135amp alt. (i dont have the subs yet) but i know ill need a few good batterys. But, im not sure that will be enough. So, how about this. i can not afford and am not willing to buy a HO alt. but, like some of the very high end systems ive seen, chain two smaller ones? like if i go to a junkyard and find anothher 135amp alt off a expedition, can i rig both of my alts to work together?

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[SWFL 10+ year member]

sure dont see why not

 

[91Chevy 10+ year member]

Yeah, you can. You just have to either buy or fabricate a new bracket to hold them on to your engine.

 

[taintedplay 10+ year member]

sweet. i have no clue how alternators work, so would it be better to just buy one (if possible) and what kind?

 

[91Chevy 10+ year member]

If you do run 2, you'd also need to get a longer belt, but those are cheap enough. It just depends really, most people buy a single HO alternator for simplicity's sake, but it's ultimately up to you.

 

[93dakota 10+ year member]

sweet. i have no clue how alternators work, so would it be better to just buy one (if possible) and what kind?

It is really up to you... a used alt will be cheaper but it will most likely go bad faster. that could mean 1 month that could mean 5 years... hard to say. you might want to look for an HO alt that is not meant for car audio. they dont have as fast of a response time on the voltage but they are much cheaper you can get a 250 amp for just over $200.

 

[jdawg 5,000+ posts]

probably better with a ho alt, that alternator probably puts out 60amp at idle, so 2 would be 120, plus all the bracketry, belt routing, find an idler, etc. Mechman alts run 150amps at idle for most of his alts

 

[IDSkoT 5,000+ posts]

The inherit problem with this two alternator idea is that you might need a tensioner. The alternator works by being spun the a belt which is run by your crankshaft. If there's not enough tension around the alternator's pulley, then it will not spin, thus, making all the work pointless. Not to mention, fitting another alternator under your hood is pretty difficult. That's why dual alternator builds are rare, and only kept to the high end builds. It can be done, but you need a lot of fabrication work done. In all, between the fab work and the alternator, the price will run you about the same as a H.O. alternator.

 

[mazzasec 5,000+ posts]

IMO 135 amp alternator will be enough with about 3-5 good batteries.

 

[taintedplay 10+ year member]

well the thing is a HO alt is expensive, i could get a second one really cheap. i hope i dont need to mess with alts. i hope two big batts will be enough

 

[mazzasec 5,000+ posts]

well the thing is a HO alt is expensive, i could get a second one really cheap. i hope i dont need to mess with alts. i hope two big batts will be enough

Give it a try. Most amps are pretty safe down to a bout 11.6-7

 

[thegreatestpenn 5,000+ posts]

if this is a daily driver, a few batts in the back should be enough. Even tho 2 big batts costs about as much or more than a good HO alt*.....

 

[taintedplay 10+ year member]

but wouldent i need a HO alt plus batts?

 

[thegreatestpenn 5,000+ posts]

probably not for a daily driver if the alt is big enough. you can probably get a 300A alt for that truck and that IMO would be plenty for your system daily (assuming your front batt is good0

 

[Undisputed King 10+ year member]

I thought about that, did my research, and for all the work and time and money your going to be putting into that, it cheaper to get a HO alternator and will save you hassles and time.