Amp Killed my alt?

[MUTCHYMAN 10+ year member]

I have 5 gauge wire going from the battery to a distro block, then 8 gauge from the block to the amp. the size of the wire shouldn't affect how much power it takes from the battery, only the demand of the amp, right? Also, do i need to disconnect the stock wiring from the amp to the battery or can i just make a 2 gauge wire with two crimps at the ends and just attatch it to the positive of the altenator and the positive of the battery straight?

 

[ultimate157 5,000+ posts]

I have 5 gauge wire going from the battery to a distro block, then 8 gauge from the block to the amp. the size of the wire shouldn't affect how much power it takes from the battery, only the demand of the amp, right?

correct.

Also, do i need to disconnect the stock wiring from the amp to the battery or can i just make a 2 gauge wire with two crimps at the ends and just attatch it to the positive of the altenator and the positive of the battery straight?

Would make for a cleaner install if you removed the old.

 

[ultimate157 5,000+ posts]

i'm running 1000w RMS on a stock alternator. I don't even have dimming. I believe it was just time for your alternator to die, seeing as you said your car is running differently now.

 

[MUTCHYMAN 10+ year member]

....the reason i don't want to take out the old cable is basically because it will be a Pain in the ***. also, because if i do something wrong and the new wires don't pull the power or something, I want the "Back up" there. before i start the car, I am gonna take pics and post them to see if its done right. also, do you think it is a big deal if i don't to the other 2 of the 3 right away?

 

[o. l. t. 10+ year member]

I think it is 65-75 amps.

That is a pathetic alt that would die under normal conditions, much less with an amp.

The headlights, and wipers on while running the car down the road will draw that alone, then add climate controls and you are at the alts peak.

There's not even enough for the stock system barely, much less an amp. Buy a good alt and you'll be ok.

What car is it and what engine, options?

 

[MUTCHYMAN 10+ year member]

I got a new alt now and it is rated for 90 amps (which is it's max on the bench test. At 1500 RPM's, it is cranking out 34 amps. There was a spec sheet that came with it. the only time right now (without my subs hooked up) that i notice dimming it the second i turn my AC on, then the lights kick right back up after 2 seconds.

 

[MUTCHYMAN 10+ year member]

So I just installed 2 gauge wire from my alt to the battery (38 inches long) and i cut and crimped the stock cables to the new terminal i got. I tested the amps of the alt at two different places (autozone and advanced auto parts), and once i installed the new cable, the amount of amps dropped at both locations. What could cause this, or is this normal and the amps will be more stable under load.

The good thing is there is not nearly as much lights dimming (I think) when i turn on my AC to the highest settings. Also, it seems that my car has a little bit better acceleration. Is this be the Placebo affect, or is the lower amps just a cover up for a more stable power usage? was my 1 of the 3 a success? I am installing my amp tommorrow then gonna have it tested to see if the amps produced stays consistent when "Grillz" is playing at the maximum volume i would listen to it at.

 

[MUTCHYMAN 10+ year member]

Bump, last question need answered!

 

[ultimate157 5,000+ posts]

So I just installed 2 gauge wire from my alt to the battery (38 inches long) and i cut and crimped the stock cables to the new terminal i got. I tested the amps of the alt at two different places (autozone and advanced auto parts), and once i installed the new cable, the amount of amps dropped at both locations. What could cause this, or is this normal and the amps will be more stable under load.
The good thing is there is not nearly as much lights dimming (I think) when i turn on my AC to the highest settings. Also, it seems that my car has a little bit better acceleration. Is this be the Placebo affect, or is the lower amps just a cover up for a more stable power usage? was my 1 of the 3 a success? I am installing my amp tommorrow then gonna have it tested to see if the amps produced stays consistent when "Grillz" is playing at the maximum volume i would listen to it at.

.... What? You used the word "amps" to mean 4 different things in that reply. No wonder no one replied.