Alternator problem

[Chromite 10+ year member]

How powerful of an alternator would you need to keep voltage up against around 1400 watts RMS?

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[plugitin 5,000+ posts]

Stock alt should do ok...as long as its 130 or so amps

 

[Chromite 10+ year member]

my battery output reads 12.5 volts when the music is at a somewhat high volume and around 13.5 when it's idling.

this must be a sign I need a more powerful alternator.

 

[ltr450racer690 10+ year member]

12.5 is completely fine tho.

 

[Chromite 10+ year member]

does having two batteries split the output of the alternator in half or do both batteries get the full charge?

 

[SmartAsss 10+ year member]

You need a high output alt for sure.. adding a second battery only makes your situation worse. now your alternator has to charge both batts and put out 1400w and run your vehicle. Thats a tall order for any factory alt.

you can easy your electrical load by wiring your sub to a higher ohm if its DVC, and ditching the second battery.

1400w from a 13.5v system would require about 103 amps from your alt.. the car needs power too somewhere around 40 amps. you would need at least a 143 amp alt.